Spring Leadership Institute

Summer Leadership Institute group photo with books on center table.

Spring Leadership Institute

The Western Massachusetts Writing Project’s annual Spring Leadership Institute will bring together outstanding teachers who work with students in all academic content areas and at all grade levels, PK–college. Supported by the WMWP facilitators and each other, these teachers will spend Thursdays from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. online during the spring semester, immersed in writing, reading, and teacher inquiry, ultimately returning to their schools as WMWP Teacher-Consultants. In this capacity they may contribute to the professional growth of their colleagues; earn extra income leading workshops and courses in area schools for WMWP; and present their research in local, regional, and national venues. In this way, the Spring Leadership Institute represents the first leg in what thousands of National Writing Project teachers around the country have described as a career-transforming journey. 

As participants, teachers will engage in their own writing to explore ways to use writing more meaningfully in their classrooms. They will participate in a collaborative inquiry community: reading current theory and research, engaging in classroom-based action research, and presenting a professional workshop. 

Inquiry will focus on the following themes: 

CLASSROOM INQUIRY:

How can reflecting on my teaching help me ask questions to improve my practice? 

REFLECTION AND IMPLEMENTATION:

How do I navigate unfettered student access to technology such as ChatGPT in my teaching practice? How can teachers use technology productively to encourage equitable outcomes? 

LANGUAGE AND POWER:

How can language be used in a classroom to empower or disempower students? How can students’ native languages be valued in school? 

LITERACY AND LEARNING:

How can I help students become more confident and effective writers and readers? What writing-to-learn and critical reading strategies can I use to help my students develop their content knowledge and understanding

 

2025 SLI Facilitators

Jen DiGrazia and Joe Courchesne.

  • Image of Department of English Professor Jennifer DiGrazia
  • Joe member of the Western Mass Writing Project wearing light blue collared shirt smiling.

Fast Facts

Orientation Day: TBD

Spring Institute: Spring Leadership Institute will take place at Westfield State University during spring 2025 on Thursday from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. online.

 Follow-up Meetings: At the conclusion of the 2024 - 2025 school year, we will meet for a two-day retreat on Thursday June 26 and Friday June 27 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

YOU GET: 135 PDPs  (total for spring and school-year program) $750.00 or
6 graduate credits
(each course costs $1,254.00, for a total cost of $2,508.00. If you take them for PDPs, each course costs $750.00 for a total cost of $1,500.00) 

COST: We encourage you to work with your school district to cover this registration fee and invest in you as a teacher leader. Please reach out to discuss economic need if it prohibits you from participation.

  • WHO

    PK through college teachers & content specialists in all disciplines

  • WHAT

    The best professional development you have ever experienced

  • WHERE

    Westfield State University

  • WHY

    To grow as a writer, researcher, and presenter

  • Membership

    in the WMWP and National Writing Project educator networks

  • Preparation to lead

    professional development programs as a paid teacher-consultant

“This program made me feel more confident as a teacher, writer, and presenter.”

 

“This was the best PD ever. I think it really elevates the profession… teaching is not a 9-5; it is a vocation. Some educators might lose sight of that when they are bogged down with the politics of their schools. This institute was just a great opportunity to talk with other educators and reflect on our profession. This is vital to our practice.”

 

“I have concrete strategies to try in the classroom. It was amazing to have a chance to really reflect on my work outside of the school year. I am so glad I did the SLI!”

 

“I would tell others that no matter what their subject area is, they would benefit … SLI is helpful for all teachers."

— Past SLI participants

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have more personalized writing needs for your school or district?  The WMWP would love to meet with you to discuss those. Please contact wmwp@westfield.ma.edu for an initial meeting.

Where and when is the Spring Leadership Institute (SLI)?

Spring Leadership Institute will take place at Westfield State University during spring 2025 on Thursday from 4:30-7 online. At the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year, we will meet for a two-day retreat on Thursday June 25 and Friday June 27 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

What do we do at the Spring Leadership Institute (SLI)?

We bring together a community of educators who engage in two projects:

  • Teacher Action Research - each educator identifies a problem, issue, or wondering about their classroom and/or practice and conducts research related to that problem. After proposing a guiding research question, teachers will become the researchers as they explore potential answers in their own classrooms.
  • Teachers as Writers - through their own personal writing experiences, teachers recenter themselves both as educators and people. Teachers get exposed to a range of writing pedagogy and their work is published in our 2025 Spring Leadership Institute Anthology.
What is the Teacher Action Research (TAR) course?

SLI participants meet four times throughout the 2025-26 academic year to share progress on their research, ask for support, and continue to build a professional community as they prepare for the Best Practices Conference.

What is the Best Practices Conference?

Held in the Spring, the Western Mass Writing Project Best Practice Conference is a one-day professional conference in which participants in the previous year’s SLI present their work. Teachers from all over the region are invited as our SLI participants become leaders in their field.

Who should attend?

Anyone interested in K-16 who is teaching writing who is a practicing or soon-to-be practicing teacher. You simply need to be interested in using (and reflecting on how you are using) writing in your classroom.

How does this PD benefit teachers?
  • Sustaining a professional community: The opportunity to interact with a range of educators from all over the state who teach from K-16 helps to cultivate a sense of community and shared knowledge. 
  • Mentorship: Not only are participants supported by the course leaders during the SLI and TAR, but they are introduced to a vast network of clearly dedicated teachers who are invested in learning new strategies and trying out different approaches.   
  • Renewal: Teachers in the SLI self-report feeling encouraged by PD that is teacher-led and teacher-focused, and they enter the school year re-engaged and ready to try out a new approach.  Each year, those who attend Best Practices leave feeling reconnected and reassured by conversations they have with other practicing teachers.  They have more tools and ways to think about using writing in their classrooms.
Can teachers take this for graduate credit?

Yes.  Those who are interested in taking the SLI for graduate credit earn 3 credits for the SLI (which extends throughout spring semester 25) and 3 credits for the Teacher Action Research project.  Teachers collect data and meet periodically with their SLI cohort and leaders throughout the fall 25 semester and into spring of 26.

Can teachers take this for PDPs?

Yes. Instead of earning graduate credits, teachers can take the SLI and the TAR for a total of 135 pdps (67.5 for each).

Is this linked to a certificate?

Yes. Teachers can elect to take an additional 9 credits and earn a Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing.  The 15 credits you earn through the certificate can be applied toward a Master’s Degree and/or professional licensure.

How much does it cost?

Both the SLI and TAR are graduate courses and if taken for graduate credit, each course costs $1,254.00, for a total cost of $2,508.00.  If you take them for PDPs, each course costs $750.00 for a total cost of $1,500.00.

How do I register?

This link will take you to our registration page and more information about our certificate program, including possible elective classes for the certificate.

Ready to grow as a teacher-leader?

Are you eager to strengthen literacy practices in your classroom to enable students to understand the content more thoroughly and express themselves more effectively? If so, apply to the Spring Leadership Institute today!

Looking to learn more? Visit WMWP.

Campus Globe against cloudy blue sky

Contact Us

Joe Courchesne
Co-Director