GVWP Community-Funded Programs for Teachers
We are Great Valley Writing Project at CSU Stanislaus:
We are teachers teaching teachers. GVWP is a professional network of classroom teachers who understand what teachers need. Our community-funded courses have been custom-tailored to meet those needs: we work hard to offer courses with free or low-cost registration, convenient locations, and parent-friendly program structures that are designed to accommodate teachers' busy schedules. At our summer demonstration labs, the children of participating teachers attend free of charge, allowing parents to address their own needs for professional growth without compromising the needs of their children. We recognize and celebrate the fact that teachers, like students, should be lifelong learners. GVWP programs support the intellectual needs of teachers-as-learners. Rather than bombarding participants with a huge list of mandates from politicians and publishers, course leaders narrow the objectives of each course, helping participants connect abstract theories and goals with practical tools and strategies. By providing opportunities for study, observation, and discussion, they help teachers understand the purpose of educational standards and illustrate ways to help students reach them. Over time, GVWP helps teacher become masters of their craft who share their expertise with others. We support growth by forming long-term, supportive relationships with teachers. GVWP leaders promote collaboration and build professional development networks among site colleagues and across school boundaries. Teachers stay connected through Saturday Seminars and study groups offered during the school year, through a variety of summer programs, and through online discussion groups. A large percentage of participating teachers return to attend more than one GVWP course, and most develop close professional ties with other teachers in their districts. These long-term relationships are an integral part of our “teachers teaching teachers” model. Many GVWP programs are now supported by contributions from local businesses & individuals. GVWP community-funded programs began in 2004, when the Tuff Boy companies supplied funding for fourteen teachers who wanted to study better ways to teach writing. Since then, programs have expanded to serve hundreds of students and teachers at numerous campuses each year. GVWP Community-Funded Programs are managed by a small team of retired Teacher Consultants who work closely with the GVWP Director and GVWP office staff. If you have questions about the programs, or would like to join as a financial sponsor, please contact Melissa King. |
GVWP Community-Funded Programs for Educators in South SJ County:
GVWP Book Study Groups: In these courses, groups of teachers read research-based books and meet to discuss effective strategies for classroom instruction and assessment. Through study and collaboration, they discover better ways to help their students become successful writers. GVWP Demonstration Labs: In these intensive 45-hour programs, experienced leaders provide assigned readings and demonstration lessons, and they guide participating teachers through ongoing research, analytical discussions, and hands-on interactions with real students at a summer writing workshop. GVWP Technology Lab for Teachers: Writing is increasingly a digital medium, so this 15-hour course helps educators learn how technology can energize and transform classroom writing programs. GVWP Creating Class Books: Publishing written work can enhance skill development and achievement in both reading and writing, so these 15-hour courses helps educators discover fast, easy ways to connect writers with larger audiences through publishing. GVWP Build a Better Workshop: This 75-hour course is designed for veteran GVWP participants who want to build independent thinkers through student-managed “workshop” programs in their classrooms. After initial meetings to read and discuss key principles, teachers spend 60 hours testing theories and analyzing results with real students in a workshop lab. (The program runs once every five years.) |