New Writing Project site directors or directors of existing sites can find information, support, and a collegial community from the NWP network. If you are a new director, or working with a new director, start with these steps:
Step 1: Contact NWP
Contact us at support@nwp.org to let us know the name and contact information of the new director and the effective date of the transition. We will make sure the new director gets access to our online reporting and application systems and is subscribed to NWP site leader communications.
Step 2: Join the NWP Network Leaders Social Network
NWP uses Yammer, a 'post-based' or 'Facebook-like' social network for conversations about various work going on at Writing Project sites. Follow this link to join the NWP Network Leaders network. You may have to create an account (if you haven't used Yammer before) and then your request to join will be sent to NWP and you will receive notice that you have been accepted shortly after. Once you are in the Yammer network, you will be able to see the general feed of posts as well as search for other groups that you are interested in joining and request to join.
Besides sharing resources in Yammer, NWP posts invitations to bi-monthly conference calls for new directors. The calls are particularly geared to supporting new site directors, though they are open to all site leaders. The calls may include discussions of programming, recruitment, fundraising, university relations, as well as NWP reporting requirements and grant opportunities.
Step 3: Familiarize Yourself with Write/Learn/Lead
The Write/Learn/Lead blog features pieces written by experienced teacher leaders and posts directly related to the development of leadership within the network. The Write/Learn/Lead knowledge base is a collection of resources curated from NWP's expansive collection to support the work of NWP teacher leaders and affiliated educators.
Step 4: Plan to Attend NWP@NCTE
NWP has a strong presence at the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Conference, with its own strand of sessions of particular interest to Writing Project site leaders. The NCTE Annual Conference is held annually in November. Plan to attend the NWP strand to stay connected to the national network of Writing Project colleagues.
