Dear Senator Kerry,
I have been
affiliated with the National Writing Project through the Western Mass
Writing Project at UMass Amherst for over 20 years. Before I retired, I
was an English teacher in Arlington MA for 34 years. I know how
important it is for teachers to have good professional development
opportunities and support for the challenging work of teaching. WMWP
changed my teaching in important ways, most particularly in the teaching
of writing. I have met many teachers over the decades who would say
the same. These colleagues have been part of my support network for
good teaching practices.
I know these are challenging
economic times, but I also know that eliminating good programs for
teachers while at the same time demanding more from them in the
classroom doesn't make sense. If education is important, if good
teaching is important, teachers need opportunities to learn and
reflect. The NWP programs are proven successful and should continue.
I urge you to work to restore funding to the NWP.
Thank you,
Lucile Burt
Western Massachusetts Writing Project
Western Massachusetts Writing Project
