There Are a Million and One Words Flying Through My Brain About the Last Several Weeks, But I'm Settling with the Word BLESSED. @CWPFairfield Keeps My Joy Alive

I don't think anyone but a National Writing Project Director knows what it is like to run a teacher institute, workshops, and summer programs, especially when much of the work we do is grant-oriented and K-12 school coordinated, and somewhat counter to the ways normals systems function. We get work done and we do it outside the box, breaking boundaries between institutions, and fighting every step of the way (because we have to). 

In the last five weeks, we've hosted K-16 educators with 84 hours of professional development, provided 120 hours of writing space (and a publication) for almost 200 youth, hosted 20 authors to speak about writing, and hosted irreplaceable collaborations between teachers and students. Over 50% of our participants are from high needs districts and this year we welcomed young people from Loyola High School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Our teacher leaders provide 18 hours of PD to one another, building their capacity to provide professional development in local schools and districts, as well as at state and national conferences. Their leadership is ready to be spread to others. 

Ubuntu Academy celebrated their final day yesterday sharing oral stories, two-voice poems, and history with a large audience (which is nerve wracking for speakers of other languages). They did it, though, and they also mastered a cup game to play in absolute rhythm, which they were sure they'd never accomplish, but did. 

Our friends from Tanzania, too, wrote a choral, collaborative poem (in 15 minutes) and shared that with the Ubuntu crowd. It was amazing and I am beyond impressed by the students of Loyola High School.

I look at all of this with pride, knowing that in the last five weeks, I can count the number of colleagues I saw on campus with one hand...and didn't see a single colleague from my SEHD hallway, even if I was there from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. It's simply fascinating. Perhaps, they too need opportunities to see what can be accomplished when minds are put together.

I am simply amazed and remain proud of the work of CWP teachers, our summer team, and the beautiful youth we work with.