Dear Western Pennsylvania Writing Project Community,

Thank you for taking time to receive and review this newsletter. We remain grateful for the opportunity to maintain this community. If you have any updates, ideas, and/or concerns, we’d like to hear from you. Email us: wpwp@pitt.edu 

Choose a poem you enjoy reading. If you don’t read poetry very much, choose a short accessible piece to engage. Re-write the poem/writing on one side of a piece of paper. Draw a line down the middle of the paper. Then, write your thoughts or your own poem on the other side of the paper. There is no right or wrong, this is for you. 

We are overjoyed to welcome Emily Conklin to the WPWP Community. 

Emily is an artist and educator who is thrilled to be part of the team as the WPWP Administrative Assistant! Emily graduated in 2016 from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in Studio Arts and currently owns her own self-titled small business centered around her career as a freelance artist.

Previously, Emily has created, facilitated, and lead art therapy groups at Melting Pot Ministries, and has held art educator positions at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Within her own practice, Emily explores the connection between formless memories, the visual translation of these memories into the physical world through art, and the language used to describe this process.

Emily is excited to support the mission of WPWP and is proud to be part of an organization that values self-expression as means of healing, growth, and transformation. 

Just Desserts
Saturday, December 16 | 3 - 6 p.m.
Location: Point Park University, West Penn Hall 1st Floor Lobby, The Michael P. Pitterich Sales and Innovation Center (directions)

At Just Desserts, we will write a bit, celebrate the year, and enjoy desserts as we connect with one another. If you plan to attend, please complete this form. Even if you don’t complete the form, feel free to stop by… feel free to bring family and friends. 

2024 Summer Institute: Save the Date + Interest Form

We are looking forward to our 2024 Summer Institute! More information for signing up will be shared in early 2024. In the meantime, please save the following dates for the institute and complete this form if you are interested in supporting the institute and/or suggesting educators who might be interested in participating. 

Save the Date: July 8-August 2, 2024

2024 WPWP Network Wide Meeting
March 30, 2024 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: University of Pittsburgh School of Education

You’re invited to a WPWP Network Wide Meeting! Please come out to learn more about what’s ahead for the WPWP, to think and plan together, and to be in community. 

During the 2024 NCTE convening in Columbus, Ohio, the National Writing Project announced the Breakthroughs project as part of their campaign to celebrate the first 50 years of the National Writing Project. In the new year, look for information about a publishing site for teachers’ breakthrough stories, and for information sessions and write-ins to be held in the Write Now Teacher Studio. 

In the meantime, check out the NWP’s newest book co-published with Teacher’s College Press:

When Challenge Brings Change: How Teacher Breakthroughs Transform the Classroom by Sandra Murphy and Mary Ann Smith 

Learn more about the National Writing Project turning 50.

The deadline for students to enter the Scholastic Awards has been extended to December 29, 2023.  

Leslie Wessner is hoping to connect with members of the WPWP community who would be willing to serve as judges this year. Scholastic will have from 12/30 – 1/31/24 to judge student work. Leslie has shared that they ALWAYS need more judges. Please contact her (lwessner@pointpark.edu) directly if you would like more information.