The Write Stuff

Just arrived home from the 2006 Midwinter Writing Conference hosted by the National Writing Project at Rutgers University. This was my fourth time attending the conference, third time as a Teacher Consultant / Tech Liaison for the NWP.

I don't know if I can accurately describe the experience, but it is comparable to attending a family reunion hosted around an annual holiday; this was our holiday, a celebration for the love of writing and the teaching of writing. We gather from far and wide across the state of NJ for this day. Some of these educators I only see once a year at this event. It is an awesome feeling to be reunited with such enthusiastic teachers. Like any celebration, the food was awesome (veggie hummus wraps- yum), and there were good stories (of teaching) to be passed around during lunch.

Above all, the NWP at Rutgers is like an extended academic family to me. Over the years I have formed professional and personal relationships with these folks. It is because of their encouragement that I have pursued graduate school, revivied my love for writing, and taken risks with my teaching by continually seeking self-improvement.

Take a look close look at the picture. Here are the presenters and organizers of the event, many of which are working on few hours of sleep, having worked for the last 8 hours. Notice that they all leaving the event with the satisfaction of a job well done, enjoying each other's comradery. If it wasn't for the turn of weather, we would have most likely have headed over to New Brunswick for a quick drink; the snow hasted our journies home.

They all earned a well deserved rest tonight, as the next morning will bring the task of planning for next year.

Tags: NWP, Rutgers, Midwinter Writing Conference