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What is the National Writing
Project?
The National Writing Project @ Rider is an affiliate of the National
Writing Project (NWP). Begun in 1973 as the Bay Area Writing Project
at the University of California at Berkeley, the NWP has grown into
a national network of projects.
The NWP is a professional development
network that serves teachers of writing at all grade levels, primary
through university, and in all subjects.
The mission of the NWP is to improve
student achievement by improving the teaching of writing and
learning in the nation's schools.
As an affiliate of the National Writing Project, NWP @ Rider is
sanctioned by the No Child Left Behind Act.
What is NWP @ Rider?
NWP @ Rider serves PreK-16
educators.
Formerly known as the
Trenton Area Writing Project (TAWP),
NWP
@ Rider was founded in January, 2000.
TAWP began with three teachers, Louise Beste, Susan Kadish,
Ruth Palmer, and university professor Dr. Carol Brown.
Located in the School of Education at Rider University,
NWP@Rider is dedicated to supporting and developing literacy in the
Mercer County, New Jersey area.
Our Goals:
To improve student writing abilities by
improving teaching and learning in the Trenton Public School
District and surrounding school districts.
To provide professional development to teachers
from Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 in all academic areas.
To expand the professional roles of teachers.
To increase the academic achievement of
Mercer County's diverse student population.
 How
Does NWP @ Rider Work?
Crucial beliefs that guide our work:
•Writing is fundamental to learning in all
disciplines
•Writing deserves constant attention from
kindergarten through post graduate studies
•Teachers are the key to educational change
•The best teacher of teachers is another
teacher
•Effective literacy programs are inclusive,
reaching all teachers in order to reach students
•Universities and schools accomplish more in
partnerships
•Exemplary teachers of writing write and use
writing themselves
•Excellent professional development is an
ongoing process
What are teachers saying about NWP @
Rider?
“One of the
things I love about NWP @ Rider is being with a group of
professionals who are trying to find ways to be better teachers.”
Donna Lawery,
Reading Recovery Teacher, Trenton Public Schools
“NWP @ Rider
has completely transformed the way I prepare our students for
standardized tests.”
Meredith Guhl,
6-8 Language Arts teacher, Robbinsville Public Schools
 “I
recommend NWP @ Rider to all my friends.”
Christine
Clark, Special Education Literacy Coach, Trenton Public Schools
“We’re the
envy of all our friends. They love what we have learned about
writing in the classroom.”
Linda Biondi
and Carol Hotchkiss, 4th
and 5th
grade
teachers, Robbinsville Public Schools
“I have so
many ideas for helping my students make their writing more
interesting. They are so motivated to write now.”
Rachel
Herring, Special Education Literacy Coach, Trenton Public Schools
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