What is the Summer Institute?
The SI is a teacher development program for Appalachian Ohio teachers to learn about and share their best practices in the teaching of writing. Participants will enroll in 10 hours of graduate courses in Ohio University’s English Department and then join a four-week intensive program to develop their abilities as writers, researchers, and teachers of writing.

What would I do in the Summer Institute?
We will meet daily to discuss readings, demonstrate our best teaching practices, study the leading research in writing studies, and work on our own writing. All participants will be part of a writing group so that they can receive feedback to improve their own writing and will also give a teaching demonstration of their most effective writing lesson or activity.

Who can apply for the Summer Institute?
Any K-16 teacher or administrator who had 3 or more years of experience and is currently employed in Perry, Morgan, Washington, Hocking, Athens, Vinton, Meigs, Jackson, Gallia, or Lawrence counties. If you are outside of this service area, but still very much interested, please contact our office at 593-2784.

When and where is the Summer Institute?
The Summer Institute will be held in Ohio University’s Ellis Hall. We will meet Monday-Friday, 9AM-4PM.

How much does the Summer Institute cost?
All participants at the SI will receive a full scholarship for tuition, fees, and textbooks.

Is housing available at Ohio University?
Housing is available on campus for the Summer Institute at an additional charge. See the Housing page for more information.

How much credit do I get for participating in the Summer Institute?
Participants who complete the Summer Institute will earn 10 graduate credits in English at Ohio University.

Participants are also eligible (with some restrictions) to register for 8 more hours of graduate courses during OU’s Summer Session.

Restrictions:

• Participants may take a lifetime maximum of 18 graduate credits as “Non-Degree-Seeking Students.” If you have already taken credits at OU as a non-degree-seeking student, you may not be eligible for additional credits.
• The additional 8 credits must be completed during the same summer session.
• You may not be able to take the classes you want. The department offering the course has final authority over who is permitted to register.

Ohio University departments are not required to accept hours earned while a student is enrolled as a “Non-Degree-Seeking Student” towards a degree.

What if I’m not accepted to the Summer Institute?
Strong candidates may be placed on a waiting list for the 2010 Institute. If we are not able to offer you a placement in this year’s SI, we strongly encourage you to apply again in the future.

Also remember that the SI is only one part of the OUAWP. We also offer shorter workshops on evenings and weekends throughout the school year. You can learn more about upcoming workshops by visiting Year-Round Opportunities.

What is the National Writing Project?

The National Writing Project is the premier effort to improve writing in America. Through its professional development model, the NWP builds the leadership, programs, and research needed for teachers to help their students become successful writers and learners.

Every student deserves a highly skilled teacher of writing. To that end, each of the nearly 200 NWP sites conducts an annual summer institute, attended by the most experienced teachers in the area. Together, these teachers prepare for leadership roles by demonstrating their most effective practices, studying research, and improving their knowledge of writing by writing themselves. The NWP model has been repeatedly validated by a number of research studies. Studies of student achievement, both local and national, show positive results.