Summer 2009 Administrators' Workshop

On June 29 and 30, ten administrators from seven schools in four districts gathered on the Ball State campus to increase their understanding of the Writing Workshop. One attendee, a superintendent, came with her six building administrators, and several principals had teachers spending part of their summer at IWP's Open or Invitational Institutes.

In addition to writing, attendees learned the details of state writing standards, discussed professional literature, and learned about the roles of administrators in supporting the teaching of authentic writing. Administrators had time to assess the needs in their home buildings and corporations, and design a plan to promote Writing Workshop in their schools. During the second afternoon, the participants visited IWP's middle and high school Comp Camp. The administrators were impressed with what they observed of Writing Workshop in action; one participant commented, "I felt like going into the classroom and watching an actual mini-lesson was really valuable. I was able to put the vision I had of it [Writing Workshop] into reality." Another administrator added, "I feel I can support great writing instruction."

For information about future Administrators' Workshops, please visit Indiana Writing Project website.