As we close out the year, I want to begin with a sincere thank you to our WPWP community. This year has been full of thoughtful work, steady commitment, and collective care for writing, teaching, and learning across our region. I am deeply grateful for all that you have contributed and made possible. 

In November, I had the opportunity to attend the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) conference in Denver, where I spent a full day with the National Writing Project community engaged in site development, dreaming, learning, sharing, and connection. Being in that space was both grounding and energizing, a powerful reminder of what it means to be part of a national network committed to teachers, writers, and justice-centered education. I was also glad to connect with several WPWP Fellows during the conference, moments that made the experience especially meaningful. 

Looking ahead, I am excited that NCTE will be in Pennsylvania next year, hosted in Philadelphia. WPWP hopes to support and show up strongly in that space. If you are interested in attending, presenting, or imagining how your work might connect to the conference through WPWP, let’s begin those conversations now.

As you move toward the close of 2025, I hope you are able to do so in ways that feel meaningful and restorative. May you return to the reading and writing that grounds and guides you, and may this season be filled with what you need. I am looking forward to what we will build together in 2026.

With gratitude,

Khirsten L. Scott, PhD

As always, thank you for taking the time to receive and review this newsletter. We are grateful to be in community with you. Feel free to share this information with others.

If you have any updates, ideas, and/or concerns, we’d like to hear from you. Email us at wpwp@pitt.edu.

📍 Where: University of Pittsburgh - Oakland Campus
📅 When: June 22 - 30, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

We are excited to announce that YWI 2026 will take place on weekdays from June 22 – June 30, with a closing ceremony held on July 1! Registration opens January 6, 2026 and is open to rising 5th-11th graders. More information will be available on the WPWP site when registration opens. For now, save the date!

📍 Where: Carnegie Music Hall, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
📅 When: Select dates through May 2026. Click here for more information.

We are excited to share that we are partnering with Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures, PAL, this fall! In collaboration with PAL, we invite the WPWP community to attend the Ten Evenings series. The Speakers are as follows:

Calvin Duncan and Sophie Cull: February 9, 2026 

Sunil Amrith: March 2, 2026 

Angela Flournoy: March 23, 2026 

Merlin Sheldrake: April 13, 2026 

Michael Chabon: May 11, 2026   

Use this form to indicate what event(s) you are interested in attending! Please note, availability is limited. Filling out the interest form does not confirm the request. Your selection will be interpreted as an RSVP. We will contact you directly with confirmation closer to the event!  

2024 Fellow Ke’Amber Ford is hosting a writing opportunity! If you’ve been feeling the weight of it all, overwhelmed, stressed, and stretched to capacity, come try therapeutic journaling. Group happens every 4th Friday from 6:00-7:00pm online. Visit www.beloveduniversity.com/events to RSVP!

If you have an event or opportunity to share with the WPWP community, let us know! We’d love to feature it in our next newsletter. 

We are continually enhancing our communication methods by addressing any gaps in contact information. Please complete the contact form below if you haven’t already. We encourage you to share it with others who might be interested in re/connecting with the WPWP network.