Main Description: This course provides a broad perspective on the teaching of writing, acknowledging the central role that teachers play in sparking enthusiasm and developing skills in young writers. Participants will experience teachers at the center, first as presenters of classroom-tested and researched-based approaches to writing instruction and then as facilitators, applying lessons to different classroom contexts. Guided by veteran BAWP Teacher Consultants, teachers will have the opportunity to work with colleagues of similar grade levels and to explore how to best inspire and assist English Learners. In addition, teachers will have a chance to write themselves, share and publish their work as well as talk about and raise questions related to the teaching of writing. The course is designed for beginning and veteran teachers alike who would like to learn more about Writing Project best practices and will provide time and support for teachers to generate lessons based on district or site-approved texts. In the afternoon groups will break out into Secondary and Elementary groups. Support for teaching English Language Learners will be woven throughout the program with flexibility to meet the needs of the group.

Lead Facilitator: M. Clare LePell is celebrating her 31st year as a classroom teacher in Castro Valley and has been a BAWP Teacher Consultant since 1993. As the former head of a school/university partnership with a focus on adolescent literacy, Ms. LePell has developed secondary reading and writing curricula and led multiple professional development activities.

Elementary Facilitator: Aija Simmons spends her time coaching teachers and supporting the many BAWP programs designed to improve the teaching of writing. She has been teaching in urban public schools for 15 years. She also facilitates teacher inquiry groups through the Mills Teacher Scholars program. Aija enjoys creative writing and blogging in her down time.

Secondary Facilitator: Ari Dolid is an Instructional Coach in the San Leandro Unified School District, focusing on English Language Arts, Project Based Learning, and strategic integration of technology. He has led C3WP Professional Development for the Bay Area Writing Project for two years, for middle and high school teachers in the Bay Area.

ELL Facilitator: Amy Stauffer is a secondary language specialist in the Oakland Unified School District. Amy has been teaching and learning with students and educators in San Diego, Honduras, and Oakland for the past 19 years. Amy believes there is great power in teacher collaboration and that the classroom can be a transformative space.