The University of Maryland Writing Project

The University of Maryland Writing Project (UMdWP) housed in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, is co-directed by Maggie Polizos Peterson, PhD, Assistant Clinical  Professor in Elementary Education, and Beth Singleton, Doctoral Candidate in English Education.

Since 2006, UMdWP has provided a venue for teacher leaders to learn more about writing instruction at many levels and across subject areas, while creating a network of educators in our region who are committed to reflective, collaborative practice and want to improve writing instruction in their classrooms and schools. Our goals for the future are to position the UMdWP to focus not only on the teaching of writing but also to create a model of professional development, teacher leadership, and reform. Firmly rooted in the belief that teachers are the best teachers of teachers, UMdWP has been offering workshops for teachers, taught by teachers, throughout the school year and each summer since 2016.

As a teacher-led organization, UMdWP's goal is to respond to the needs of teachers in our surrounding counties: Prince George's, Montgomery, Howard, Calvert, and Anne Arundel Counties. Our goal of creating a network of educators who are leaders in their schools is grounded in the principals of the National Writing Project vision, which states:

"Writing in its many forms is the signature means of communication in the 21st century. The NWP envisions a future where every person is an accomplished writing, engaged learner, and active participant in a digital, interconnected world" (NWP, 2015, Vision Section 2).