Dear Administrator:

The Hudson Valley Writing Project at SUNY New Paltz is pleased to announce the new Invitational Institute for teacher leadership and ask you to encourage your strongest teachers to apply. Administrators are encouraged to nominate their strongest teachers, who can then serve in district leadership roles or apply for leadership roles per district career ladder programs (STLE grants).

The Invitational Institute, Leadership in the Teaching of Writing, in a nutshell:

• 3-part teacher leadership institute which is designed for educators who want to develop expertise in writing instruction and literacy development, and serve as leaders in their school communities


• 9 graduate credits in one year, featuring face-to-face and online learning


• May to May (3-parts - summer, fall, spring)


• 9 Saturdays + 9 Summer Days (Tuesday-Thursday)


• Cost = $850 per course rather than the normal $1,400


• Districts can use Title I, II, and III allocations to invest in teacher leadership. HVWP is a site of the National Writing Project which is written into ESEA and Race to the Top legislation.

 Teachers are invited to submit the 2014 Invitational Institute Application or email Dr. Mary Sawyer indicating their intent to apply. Applications or statements of intent received by March 24 will receive priority review. To learn more, please see the attached flyer and visit the HVWP website.

If you would you like these teachers to receive a personalized letter acknowledging your nomination, please email their name and contact information to Dr. Sawyer. 

Thanks, again, for your help!