Nebraska Writing Project teacher consultants are available for professional development in-service programs and embedded institutes. Teacher consultants design programs based on the needs and interest of the individual school, district, or ESU. Most programs involve the sharing of research-based, effective practices from the teacher consultant’s own classroom, connected to the target goals of the host school.
To set up consultation about inservice programs or embedded institutes at your school, contact:
Dr. Rachel Shah, Director, Nebraska Writing Project
rshah@unl.edu
Key Elements of NeWP In-service Programs:
- Most programs are conducted after school or during the evening.
- Basic program assumes one NeWP teacher consultant for every 12 participants (teachers, para-educators, counselors, or administrators).
- Nebraska Writing Project will match the host school with teacher consultants in the network with demonstrated expertise in the target writing objective.
Past one hour in-services have covered such topics as poetry writing for secondary students, digital storytelling based on community interviews, scaffolding personal narrative writing for 4th grade, and inquiry writing across the curriculum. With over 1200 active, experienced teachers in the Nebraska Writing Project network, we have many areas of writing expertise to share.
Key Elements of NeWP Embedded Institutes
Embedded Institutes bring the work of Nebraska Writing Project Institutes into a school or school district during the academic year. Participants immerse themselves in their own writing, in sharing of best practices, and in professional inquiry about the teaching of writing while they are actively involved in teaching their own classes. Key elements include:
- 45 contact hours, split between weekly small writing group meetings and monthly/bi-monthly whole institute meetings
- A facilitation team of experienced NeWP leaders
- Each Embedded Institute is designed in consultation with the host school/district to provide individualized, targeted writing focus
- Professional inquiry designed in consultation with leaders at the host school to address that school or school district's particular goals
- Possibility of 3 UNL graduate credits for participants
Experienced Professionals
The Nebraska Writing Project institutes are taught by a team of Teacher Facilitators selected for their expertise and experience in one of Nebraska's several institutes. Facilitators will present practical strategies that have been utilized in their classrooms.
Teacher Testimonials:
- “I loved getting to know staff members I don’t typically get a chance to interact with. And it was a great opportunity to get and share ideas!” - Shea Granger from the Gretna Institute
- “There are teachers from across the curriculum engaged in the process. This improves the way writing is taught for our students in many diverse classrooms.” - North Star Institute
- “I’m really excited about how this is proceeding. There is a great deal of enthusiasm from our teachers.” - Jef Johnston from the Papillion-LaVista Institute
Hosting an Embedded Service
To host an Embedded Institute, your school or school district will need to cover the following costs. Most host schools use a mix of grant funds and local foundation funds.
- Stipends of for up to 20 participants (to help offset the cost of 3 UNL graduate credits)
- Facilitator fees for two facilitators
- Travel expenses for facilitators
- Books for participants
- In-kind provision of a meeting room, photocopy access, and computer access during the institute.