Central Texas Writing Project (CTWP)

05/16/2026

Hi All Teacher Consultants,
Dr. Minda Lopez is conducting a research study and is looking for volunteer participants. See the information below of you are interested in participating.

Are you a cooperating teacher or mentor to preservice teachers on your campus? Do you work at a community college or university teaching future educators? If you train teachers, you are a teacher educator and we want to hear from you!

We are a group of transnational scholars and teacher educators who met at InfoTED in 2024-25. We are currently conducting a research study on the diverse roles of teacher educators across contexts and countries. We are therefore interested in learning more about your perspective on your role as a teacher educator, whether you work in higher education or in PK–12 schools.
We would greatly appreciate your perspective via this online survey. https://nettskjema.no/a/578844

By sharing your experiences and reflections, you will contribute to a deeper international understanding of teacher educator roles and to research that aims to strengthen the field. Participation is voluntary.

This study does not involve the collection of any personal data that could identify you, either directly or indirectly. In accordance with Norwegian regulations, the project therefore does not require an assessment from SIKT (the Norwegian Centre for Research Data). All data will be treated confidentially and reported anonymously. You may withdraw from the study at any time before submitting the survey, without providing a reason.
The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

We kindly ask you to complete the survey within two weeks.
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the researcher in your country:
• Estonia: Kadi Georg ([email protected])
• The Netherlands: Helma Oolbekkink-Marchand ([email protected])
• Norway: Karen Birgitte Dille ([email protected])
• Scotland: John Mynott ([email protected])
• USA: Minda Lopez ([email protected])
Survey link: https://nettskjema.no/a/578844

05/16/2026

Do you know a teacher in grades K–6 who, through the teaching of writing, demonstrates an understanding of student improvement in writing? Are you that teacher?

NCTE’s Elementary Section has extended the application deadline for the 2026 NCTE Donald H. Graves Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Writing to June 1. We hope you will consider applying or encouraging your colleagues to apply!

The winner will receive a $2,000 honorarium and be invited to give a brief talk during the Elementary Section Get-Together at the 2026 NCTE Annual Convention in Philadelphia. Additionally, they will be invited to write a brief piece for Language Arts. Read the essay from 2023 award winner Lisa Helsel.

Purpose: Annually recognize teachers in grades K–6 who, through the teaching of writing, demonstrate an understanding of student improvement in writing.

05/06/2026

Dear educators and librarians,

Everyday Advocacy (EA) promotes proactive ways educators can change the public narrative about literacy education. We invite you to learn more– at EA in 20, a 20 minute event that will introduce you to our work and help you explore how to use EA in your role as a teacher, teacher leader, teacher educator, librarian, or NWP director.

Want to learn more about Everyday Advocacy? Watch this graphic explainer, download our EA Playbook, and attend one of our EA in 20 sessions to start your journey to become an Everyday Advocate. Please RSVP here!

Questions? Reach out to Co-leaders Cathy Fleischer ([email protected]) or Sarah Hochstetler ([email protected]).

Dates
Monday, May 18th, 6:00-6:20 pm; 6:45-7:05 pm (Eastern)
Tuesday, May 19th, 6:00-6:20 pm; 6:45-7:05 pm (Eastern)

You can RSVP here!

Best,

Cathy (for the EA team)

01/07/2026

Dear Central Texas Writing Project TC and Friends,
It is my honor to return as the Director of CTWP along with Co-Director Valerie Taylor. As many of you may know, I started working with Liz and CTWP in 2003 when I was hired at Texas State University as an Assistant Professor.
Since that time, I have been fortunate enough to have Liz as my mentor and friend as she has guided, nudged and led me through my career. She didn't have to nudge me to take over as the director again. I excitedly volunteered because I have witnessed and benefited from the amazing relationships, professional learning and heart felt commitment to students and teachers that CTWP and the National Writing Project provide. Diane Osborne as also been my pillar- rock- and north star as she so calmly and quietly directed the ship from behind the scenes.
Valerie and I would like to invite you to attend a CTWP celebration of Dr. Liz Stephens and a mini visioning retreat on February 7, 2026. During this time, we will brainstorm our strengths, needs and hopes for the future and strategize on how to move forward.
Please save the date. More details about location will be sent out the beginning of the year.
Have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones and cherish the time you have together.
Always, Lori Assaf

04/22/2025

Looking for a fun teacher professional development event this summer?
We are offering a 3-day open institute in June for teachers interesting and writing and in teaching writing.

See our flyer for details:

01/29/2025

This year the CTWP will host the 28th annual Invitational Summer Institute. All participants must enroll in 6 hours of graduate credit within the College of Education at Texas State University. We are offering scholarships to pay for one or both of the courses--a total of $1,750 (for one course) or $3,500 (for two courses). If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete this application form:

Thank you for considering the CTWP online Invitational Summer Institute and being willing to enroll in the two courses, six hours, of graduate course credit aligned with the Institute: RDG 5340 - Connecting Reading and Writing in the Classroom RDG 5341 - Writing Pedagogy in the P-12 Classroom The CT...

06/26/2024

Welcome, 2024 Teacher Consultants!!

Clara Burns
Katie Ferguson
Sydney Johnson
Alexis McCammon
Angela Michler
Bridgette Petro
Andrea Spencer
Nancy Toledo

02/17/2024

I reached for my hooded coat when I headed out for an early lunch with my husband this cold morning, and I reminded myself that the cold will go away soon, and we will be in June before we know it!

Warm temps means Young Writers Camps (and other fun summer things)!

This year we are considering a Young Writers Camp plan that includes one or two day workshops in addition to--or instead of--the traditional week-long events.

If we do one or two day workshops, the day/s will be focused on a specific topic. Examples are these:

Poetry on the fly
How to write a perfect sentence
Introduction to writing flash fiction
Writing the perfect college entrance essay
Making a chapbook (publishable collection of poems)
Submitting to online writing contests

We need your ideas! If you have ideas for topics for a 1 or 2-day workshop, please post them in a response to this post or contact Liz Stephens at [email protected].

If you want to teach a camp (1-day, 2-day, or a 5-day camp), contact Liz.

We hope to announce our camps in early March. (The weather should be much warmer by then!)

Thanks!

11/11/2022

The Central Texas Writing Project is accepting applications to attend the 26th Invitational Summer Institute in June 2023.
Please review this application form and forward it to colleagues, friends, family, etc.

An Invitation from the Central Texas Writing Project at Texas State University To All Educators: The Central Texas Writing Project's (CTWP) Invitational Summer Institute is a unique learning event for professional educators like you. If you enjoy discovering innovative ideas for teaching...

09/28/2022

The CTWP is thrilled to announce a year-round teen writing camp! The instructor/facilitator is Ms. Allison Dunsmore, a highly experienced educator.
The camp starts in October and ends in May 2023. There are three packages available--for 3, 6, or 10 sessions. Please look at the application form below to see more details:

[https://forms.gle/7znmaDBLxzsmtDff7 (Links to an external site.)]

Please select one package from the list and complete the contact information questions. For the 3-session package, the cost is $75. For the 6-session package, the cost is $150. For the 10-session package, the cost is $250. Writers will meet every Sunday evening for the 2022-2023 school year, beginni...