The National Writing Project at UNF
The University of North Florida serves as the regional site for the National Writing Project (NWP). As the only NWP site in the region, we serve students and teachers across a 100 mile radius focusing on research-based ways to engage students in empowerment through writing. While serving stakeholders throughout the northeast Florida and southeast Georgia regions, our primary focus is on the largest school district in the region, the Duval County Public Schools, which serves roughly 130,000 students and employs over 8,000 teachers.
The National Writing Project is celebrating 47 years of continuous service to students and teachers. We are proud to be affiliated with this impactful organization.
NWP Summer Institute
Join Us for our FREE week-long Summer Institute at UNF from Monday, June 20 to Friday, June 24, 2022
The National Writing Project at the University of North Florida, also known as the Seven Bridges Writing Project, is proud to announce its second annual Summer Institute, to be held on the campus of the University of North Florida. The Institute is open to select K-12 teachers within the region and is free to all participants (including materials, parking, snacks, and a swag bag). Participants will attend general sessions based upon teaching area (elementary/secondary), followed by a time to connect with fellow teachers and then a series of content-specific and interactive breakout sessions.
The Summer Institute applies the National Writing Project’s philosophy of “teachers teaching teachers.” This five-day institute is designed to inspire and support K-12 teachers and district leaders in Northeast Florida to better their practice in offering engaging writing instruction to students. The Summer Institute also provides an opportunity to develop your voice as a writer.
2023 Application Coming Soon!
Format
Monday - Friday, June 20-24, 2022
Participants will attend general sessions based upon teaching area (elementary/secondary) followed by a time to connect with fellow teachers and then a series of content-specific and interactive breakout sessions
- Workshops are led by both UNF faculty and practicing teachers
- Breakout sessions
- Elementary and secondary sessions focused on practical strategies for engaging writing instruction
- A dedicated session on Thursday to preparation for FSA writing (with an alternate session for K-2 teachers)
- Coffee and a light breakfast are provided each morning and a lunch will be served on Monday and Friday
Who can participate?
K-12 teachers and district leaders in Northeast Florida
Benefits
- There is NO COST for the Institute and participating teachers may be eligible to earn professional development credits
- Participants will be provided with materials, parking passes, snacks and a swag bag
- Become part of an ongoing reading and writing community and may be eligible to become Teacher Consultants for their district.
- Improve your practice in offering engaging writing instruction to students
- The Summer Institute also provides an opportunity to develop your voice as a writer
About Us
John is the founder and a director of the Seven Bridges Writing Project. A former high school English teacher in Denver, John now serves as an Associate Professor of English Education and Content Area Reading and Writing at the University of North Florida. He is also Assistant Chair for the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum. John holds a B.A. in Political Science, a B.A. in English, a M.A. in English Literature, a Ph.D. in English Education and the Foundations of Education, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship on engaging struggling readers. For more information, visit his website at johnwesleywhite.com.
Elizabeth Hale, Professional Development Coordinator
Dr. Elizabeth Hale is an Assistant Professor of Literacy at the University of North Florida's College of Education and Human Services who previously worked for nine years as a teacher and literacy coach in Boston Public Schools. The author of two books on K-6 writing, her research focuses on supporting engagement with and comprehension of informational texts at the elementary and middle school level as well as using writing to deepen students' critical thinking about texts. Elizabeth received her Ed.D. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and her M.A. from Teachers College at Columbia University.
Dr. Kadesh Lauridsen is an Instructor and Writing Consultant for the University of North Florida Writing Program and Center. She earned a Master of Arts in English (2006) and PhD in English (2012) from the University of Florida. She teaches first-year writing, directs the Writing Intensive Orientation Session (WIOS) bridge program, and co-coordinates the First Forward LLC. Her interests include Jane Austen and women's writing of the long eighteenth century. Kadesh has an entry forthcoming in the Cambridge Guide to the English Novel, 1660 - 1820.