Summer Institute 2010
Looking back at my blog, I realize I started a series—a story about each of our Summer Institutes. So now I need to add the 2010 sequel. This summer, our third, has fallen into place much more easily than the last 2 Sis. The same teachers make up our leadership team and they have the same jobs—reading, writing, demonstrations, and technology. Each of them organized a set of activities for the SI and the activities fell into almost the same schedule as last year.
The room locations were another story! Back in the winter rooms in the English Building were restricted in anticipation of the construction work being done this summer, but we were able to get several good rooms. The reality turned out to be more complicated than that. Even if you have a reservation, you might not be able to get down the hall for that room. And a reservation is only for the room, not quiet or breathable air or wi-fi. We’ve been so lucky to find rooms in the Undergraduate Library, even if we have to move between them during the day. In fact, the UGL is turning out to be a great location because of all the ways we can spread out to read or write.
Of course, we have another group of wonderful teachers in the Summer Institute. Reading their blogs and seeing their videos has been astonishing. They have so much to say during discussions and seem to enjoy learning from each other. They are especially tech-savvy. Maybe we should expect each group to know more about videos and blogs as all of us become more comfortable with the technology.
This summer we start our first writing camp for students. About 12 high schoolers are registered and they will be led by 3 of our teacher-leaders from past summers. We had hoped to have a camp for elementary ages too, but dates, location, and enrollment proved impossible this year. We know that the high school camp will be fabulous so recruitment should be easy next time.
We hope that our continuity programs can take off this year. We’re planning teacher inquiry groups for a start. Another idea is a Saturday morning mini-conference where our teacher-leaders present their demos and other teachers pay a small fee to attend. We could also continue reading or writing groups during the school year.
These are all big plans compared to our small beginnings in 2008, but they seem quite reasonable with the amazing creativity and enthusiasm of the teachers we have!
I enjoy the ways in which we’re growing, too, Libbie. I’ve even noticed the difference between the leadership meetings we’ve had over the various SIs. For example: Today we were discussing specific plans for a specific and growing group of teachers. In previous years, it was much less specific.
Although we are still grappling with the question of how we bring in the money to become as self-sustaining as possible, I fell like we are so much closer than we were before.
What a fabulous thing to grow!
That’s a truly interesting observation, Judy. I remember saying after the Philadelphia NWP Annual Meeting (my 4th) that I finally felt that I was understanding and learning from the sessions. I wonder if other leaders at other sites have the same experience.
Libbie, I think I could get some high school (currently junior high) students interested in this for next summer. I almost wish I had gone through something like this when I was in high school. I think it will help students view themselves as writers from an early age…something I didn’t feel happened to me in school.