It is so difficult
to find the words to let those who have never attended a Summer
Institute see what actually happens when 16 different teachers from as
many different schools come together as a learning community. They might
teach different subjects but they all work together and write together
to help each other become the best teachers they can be. When teachers
care enough to devote 4 weeks of their summer to learning how to be
better teachers we see the enthusiasm and creativity they bring to their
classes.
It is more than just reading about new ways to approach a
subject because they try out the techniques they are talking about. They
see first hand what doing a certain activity can mean to retention and
learning. That experience translates to expertise and a better
understanding of the diverse types of leaning in September when they
return to their individual schools.
By becoming writers themselves they
see the problems students can have as they approach a new assignment.
They learn how important it is for a writer to be invested in what they
are trying to produce and ways they can make these opportunities happen
in their own classroom. By scaffolding learning and offering students
different topics to explore and later share the curriculum can be
enriched and learning increased. The first Summer Institute I attended
in 1995 changed the way I looked at being a teacher and those I've
worked at subsequently have helped me to increase the use of technology
and other media that increase the interest level for my students even
though I am teaching literature that they might not pick up on their
own. We don't need to abandon classical literature but do often need to
find new ways to help students see the relevance of what they see and
read to their lives today. All of that increases their investment in
learning and how long they remember a lesson. I know I would not be
considering all of the above as I plan a lesson without the support and
ideas and cutting edge techniques I learn form my writing project.
The
Western Mass. Writing Project has enriched hundreds of classrooms in our
valley. The cost per teacher is small when you look at the number of
students a teacher can impact. Personally I see over 400 students a year
so over the last 10 years that is more than 4000 students. Many of them
tell me they wrote their first meaningful work in my writing lab and
when I meet them years later they don't ask if I remember them but
rather do I remember the piece they wrote. I believe that this shows
they understand the power and importance of using words.
Our words define us and even as the world changes our students with
excellent literacy skills are the ones who will change the world.
It is so difficult to find the words to let those who have never attended a Summer Institute see what actually happens when 16 different teachers from as many different schools come together as a learning community. They might teach different subjects but they all work together and write together to help each other become the best teachers they can be. When teachers care enough to devote 4 weeks of their summer to learning how to be better teachers we see the enthusiasm and creativity they bring to their classes.
It is more than just reading about new ways to approach a subject because they try out the techniques they are talking about. They see first hand what doing a certain activity can mean to retention and learning. That experience translates to expertise and a better understanding of the diverse types of leaning in September when they return to their individual schools.
By becoming writers themselves they see the problems students can have as they approach a new assignment. They learn how important it is for a writer to be invested in what they are trying to produce and ways they can make these opportunities happen in their own classroom. By scaffolding learning and offering students different topics to explore and later share the curriculum can be enriched and learning increased. The first Summer Institute I attended in 1995 changed the way I looked at being a teacher and those I've worked at subsequently have helped me to increase the use of technology and other media that increase the interest level for my students even though I am teaching literature that they might not pick up on their own. We don't need to abandon classical literature but do often need to find new ways to help students see the relevance of what they see and read to their lives today. All of that increases their investment in learning and how long they remember a lesson. I know I would not be considering all of the above as I plan a lesson without the support and ideas and cutting edge techniques I learn form my writing project.
The Western Mass. Writing Project has enriched hundreds of classrooms in our valley. The cost per teacher is small when you look at the number of students a teacher can impact. Personally I see over 400 students a year so over the last 10 years that is more than 4000 students. Many of them tell me they wrote their first meaningful work in my writing lab and when I meet them years later they don't ask if I remember them but rather do I remember the piece they wrote. I believe that this shows they understand the power and importance of using words.
Our words define us and even as the world changes our students with excellent literacy skills are the ones who will change the world.
Joanne Wisniewski
Co-director of Summer Institute
Western Mass. Writing Project