Oregon Writing Project Certificate in the Teaching of Writing

“One who learns from one who is learning drinks from a running stream.” -- Siletz Nation Saying

The Certificate in the Teaching of Writing is co-sponsored by the Oregon Writing Project in cooperation with Lewis & Clark's Graduate School of Education and Counseling as well as the Center for Continuing Studies. This certification program is aimed specifically at developing teacher expertise as a writing coach for students as well as faculties.

While developing a framework for teaching writing and literacy across the curriculum, K-12 educators enrolled in the Teaching of Writing Graduate Certificate Program receive a strong grounding in writing and reflective teaching. Participants gain an understanding of literacy learning through a combination of working on their own writing, reflecting on their teaching practices, and reading current research in composition, literacy, and writing pedagogy.

Following the National Writing Project model of "teachers teaching teachers," participants share successful writing activities and develop and implement curriculum. They formulate research questions about their teaching practices and document the effects of their instruction by collecting and analyzing student work. While the bulk of the program focuses on developing and strengthening student writing, we also research and develop coaching and presenting skills.

The Oregon Writing Project Certificate in the Teaching of Writing would be granted after completion of the 16 semester credits outlined below. Electives which focus on K-2, 3-5, middle school and high school writing are also available as are occasional 1-credit weekend classes with more narrowed topics related to writing. More information about specific courses offered next term can be found elsewhere on our website.

Required Courses

OWP: Invitational Summer Institute

Description: Teachers meet five days a week for four weeks at Lewis & Clark. The Summer Institute provides a supportive, dialogic environment in which to explore possibilities as writers, teachers, and leaders. The theory and practice of writing are examined through individual demonstrations, reading and discussion of current research, and writing and sharing in writing response groups. Twenty-five K-12 participants develop their leadership potential for a variety of roles, including local school/district reform efforts that support the education and success of Oregon's diverse student population. Social justice and social action underpin the experience in an attempt to embrace democratic ideals. Participants must submit an application to be accepted into this program. This course is 7 semester credits.

OWP: Teacher Research

In this practical, hands-on course, teachers will follow a question that has arisen out of their classroom practice: a problem, an issue, a nagging concern-usually something that's right in a teacher's face. Teachers will also explore the work of other teacher researchers in the National Writing Project Network.

This inquiry-centered approach will allow teachers to conduct research in their own classrooms as they develop their questions, plan their methodology, gather data and analyze data from student writing. This course is 2 semester credits.

OWP: Practicum in the Teaching of Writing (Saturday Seminars)

After the camaraderie of the Summer Institute, too often teachers return to the isolation of their classroom. But you can reclaim your institute community in the Saturday Seminars. Whether you long for the laughter and tears of teachers sharing stories or you miss a community of teacher writers who seek to increase their students' love for writing or their ability to punctuate, you will fill your needs in the Saturday Seminars.

Saturday Seminars are a year-long series of 3-hour workshops facilitated by Linda Christensen and OWP Co-directors and Teacher Consultants. This class will focus on practical classroom strategies and discussions that help develop students as writers as well as teachers as writers. Topics vary from session to session, but each will include time for teacher writing and reflection as well as a framework or lesson to take back to the classroom. This course is 2 semester credits.

OWP: Advanced Writing Project

This course is part of a series of OWP courses for teachers interested in working as writing coaches in schools/districts. Participants examine current research from writing and coaching fields to learn "effective coaching" practices, develop grade and content level in-service workshops, and practice presentation skills. Participants engage in an individual inquiry to apply the principles they develop through the course to support local school/district reform efforts aimed at improving writing instruction for diverse learners. This course is 2 semester credits.

OWP: Writing for Publication

This course is part of a series for OWP graduates interested in becoming writing coaches in schools/districts. Teachers write narratives of school/teaching life, articles about theory and practice grounded in classroom lessons, opinion pieces about issues in the teaching of writing for publications. Course is limited to 15 participants. First class is a three-day writing retreat, paid by a grant, followed by a series of Saturday sessions. This course is 3 semester credits.