Summer institute participants work on their writing while enjoying the outdoor scenery at Lynden Sculpture Garden on a sunny day.

The Summer Institute will be held at the Lynden Sculpture Garden – a place that will be sure to spark writing ideas. As a participant, you will engage in extensive writing experiences, reflect on your own writing, be acknowledged for your own expertise as a teacher, and become a leader in the area of writing by developing an in-service presentation. Even if you are unsure of your abilities as a writer or teacher of writing, this professional development opportunity invites you to build your knowledge and confidence through practice, dialogue and community with other teachers.

We invite teachers with any level of experience, in any subject area and in any grade level, pre-K through college, to apply. Space is limited. Notifications of acceptance will begin April 15.

2024 Summer Institute Flyer (PDF)

Important Dates and Details

2024 Dates: We will work flexibly with the needs of the group about meeting times/dates, but these are the planned dates and maximum time frames:

  • Monday 6/17/24 – Tuesday 6/18/24; Thursday 6/20/24 – Friday 6/21/24: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm (No meeting on Junteenth Day 6/19)
  • Monday 6/24/24 – Thursday 6/27/24: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Monday 7/1/24 – Thursday 7/4/24: Independent work week (No meetings together this week)
  • Monday 7/8/24 – Thursday 7/11/24: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Monday 7/15/24 – Thursday 7/18/24: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm (Plan for a later ending time on July 18)

Cost: $600 (no credit) or 3 graduate credits at the published UWM tuition rate.

Final Application Deadline: April 15, 2024 (Apply Online)

Application Process

This application asks for basic personal and school-related information. There are also two essay questions. Before you begin the form, please compose thoughtful responses to these questions in a word processor so that you can copy-paste them into this form:

  1. Describe an issue in your writing instruction that you would like to investigate. Include a description of the practice as it currently exists and the results that prompted you to question it.
  2. Describe yourself as a writer. Please include your accomplishments, challenges and experiences. What do you do well and what would you like to improve?