College of Education and Human Development

The Maine Writing Project (MWP) led by Kenneth Martin in the College of Education and Human Development has received $10,000 for the second half of a two-year SEED Teacher Leadership Development Grant from the National Writing Project. MWP, founded in 1997, is one of almost 200 university-based organizations in the National Writing Project that support young writers and teachers of writing throughout the United States. Each year, up to 20 educators complete UMaine’s annual institute in writing, the teaching of writing, and teacher leadership — joining our membership of more than 300 teacher-consultants. Program activities for members include book study groups, online writing groups, and the Maine Writes publication of members’ writing, as well as professional development workshops and conferences for educators across Maine. Outreach activities include young authors summer camps for grades 3-12, support for student-staffed writing centers in Maine schools, and the Science Around ME Internet app project for science and literacy in partnership with the Maine Discovery Museum. Funds provided by the NWP SEED Grant are essential to continuing these programs.