June 23, 2008 - July 25, 2008

The centerpiece of the District of Columbia Area Writing Project (DCAWP) is the Summer Invitational Institute where identified master teachers from the District of Columbia metropolitan community participate in five weeks of reading and writing, reflecting, researching and discussing in preparation to become teacher leaders.

In the spring, the District of Columbia Area Writing Project identifies exemplary teachers of writing who represent all grade levels from kindergarten through university, and all subject areas from English to Mathematics.  These teachers attend the Summer Institute on the Howard University main campus.  During the Institute, teachers demonstrate their successful classroom practices, study research, pose their own research questions, and write extensively.  In the process, teachers rethink their own teaching approaches to benefit their students.  They also prepare to teach fellow teachers during the academic year.

During the school year, institute graduates provide in-service workshops - extended writing and reading programs - in their local schools and districts.  At the same time, they continue their own professional growth as researchers, publishing writers, and expert practitioners whose combined and ongoing scholarship helps them to create more and more effective learning experiences for their students.

ELIGIBILITY

Teachers in all subject areas from kindergarten to the university level in District of Columbia area schools are eligible to apply to DCAWP Summer Invitational Institute.

Teachers interested in applying should contact the DCAWP office.  After applications are screened, selected candidates will be invited for an interview.  Selection of Institute participants will be made by the director, Summer Institute facilitators, and a team of DCAWP teacher consultants.  Admission and a full scholarship will be offered to the best qualified applicants.

Participants will be selected on the basis of teaching excellence, a desire to improve their own writing, an interest in learning more about how to teach writing and writing to learn, and an interest and ability to work in year-round school staff development programs.

DCAWP Institute participants will receive: 

• State-of-the-art training in reading and writing instruction
• Six semester hours of graduate credit from Howard University (without cost)
• Books and supplies for the Summer Institute
• Professional leadership opportunities as a paid teacher consultant
• Opportunity to grow personally and professionally.

To insure consideration, applications should be submitted by:

March 31, 2008.

Judith Moore Kelly, Director

District of Columbia Area Writing Project

School of Education

Howard University

Washington, DC 20059