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ESWP has been associated with Salisbury University, of the Maryland State University System, since 1997. The site has grown to serve districts across the Delmarva Peninsula, including Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, Caroline, Talbot, and Queen Anne’s counties.

The Eastern Shore Writing Project (ESWP) offers a unique professional development opportunity that serves educators by:

• Expanding Horizons: Provides the opportunity for educators to vertically articulate across the curriculum and across all grade levels.
• Engaging in Inquiry: Informs teachers of the latest research in improving writing instruction through research, professional learning communities, and lesson study.
• Embracing New Ideas: Inspires teachers with innovative writing strategies to enhance writing instruction in their classrooms.
• Nurturing the Writer Within: Fosters the love of writing and encourages educators to embrace their talents.
• Developing Leadership Capacity: Encourages teachers to become leaders within the organization and/or within their school/district.

Our hallmark programs include the Invitational Summer Institute, Teacher Leadership Development Program, Winter Writing Retreat at the Beach, Teaching for Social Justice seminars and Writers of Promise Youth Summer Camps.

Additionally, ESWP provides ongoing professional development in a wide range of literacy topics to schools across the service area. All programs follow the National Writing Project’s researched-based model of “teachers teaching teachers,” shown to be effective in improving student performance and developing teacher leadership.

Mission, Vision, and Core Principles

Through these programs, ESWP supports the mission and vision of the National Writing Project:

NWP’s Mission: The National Writing Project focuses the knowledge, expertise, and leadership of our nation's educators on sustained efforts to improve writing and learning for all learners.

NWP’s Vision: Writing in its many forms is the signature means of communication in the 21st century. The NWP envisions a future where every person is an accomplished writer, engaged learner, and active participant in a digital, interconnected world.

ESWP also adheres to NWP’s Core Principles:

• Teachers at every level—from kindergarten through college—are the agents of reform; universities and schools are ideal partners for investing in that reform through professional development.
• Writing can and should be taught, not just assigned, at every grade level. Professional development programs should provide opportunities for teachers to work together to understand the full spectrum of writing development across grades and across subject areas.
• Knowledge about the teaching of writing comes from many sources: theory and research, the analysis of practice, and the experience of writing. Effective professional development programs provide frequent and ongoing opportunities for teachers to write and to examine theory, research, and practice together systematically.
• There is no single right approach to teaching writing; however, some practices prove to be more effective than others. A reflective and informed community of practice is in the best position to design and develop comprehensive writing programs.
• Teachers who are well informed and effective in their practice can be successful teachers of other teachers as well as partners in educational research, development, and implementation. Collectively, teacher-leaders are our greatest resource for educational reform.