What is the MayaWest Writing Project?

Beginning with an intensive summer institute, the goal of the project is to provide teachers with professional development in the teaching of writing and literacy at all levels. It is based on these core values:

• Writing is critical to learning across all disciplines and grade levels.

• Working as partners, universities and schools can improve student writing.

• Teachers are the best teachers of teachers.

• When teachers are given time to write and reflect on their writing, their practice is enhanced.

What makes the program different is its model, which is based on teachers teaching teachers. Each summer the site leaders, and teachers who have gone through the summer institute, choose twenty teachers who are known in their schools and districts to excel in the teaching of writing and literacy.

These teachers come together in the month of June, where they immerse themselves in reading, writing, and demonstrating lessons in literacy that have worked for them. Writing is the core of the program and teachers, themselves, go through the process of composing and revising their own writing and then searching out publishing possibilities.

After the summer institute is over teachers continue to work in interest groups and to become active in inservice projects for their own school districts and others.