2004 CSTP Writers' Retreat at Hood Canal, Washington

In early July of 2004, CSTP sponsored a four-day writers' retreat at the Canal House Conference Center on beautiful Hood Canal, Washington. Nine teachers from all over the state honed their writing skills while drafting educational advocacy papers. The agenda included workshops by writers Laura Stokes from Inverness Research Associates and Adrienne Mack-Kirshner, author of several books about accomplished teaching. Kelly Evans was also on hand to provide insider's tips on getting educational-policy advocacy pieces published.

The bulk of the agenda was given over to unhurried writing time. Participants were inspired by the scenery and each other and given hours to simply write. Imbedded within the fairly loose agenda were carefully-constructed opportunities for sharing drafts with fellow participants as well as the conference presenters.

The topics chosen by the writers varied from policy opinions in opposition to small rural school consolidation to educational journal articles about writing instruction for preschool children. The conference staff carefully divided the participants into small groups based on writing topics, and these groups met informally throughout the week to provided support and critiques of drafts.

In addition to the fantastic scenery of Eastern Hood Canal, the food provided by the gourmet chef at Canal House was absolutely fabulous. Meals were shared family-style, and the conversation was lively.

So successful was the 2004 retreat, that there are already plans in the works for a follow-up next year.

Click here to view the agenda (pdf 40.0 KB).

Click here to look at snapshots from the retreat.

Retreat Participants and the title of the piece written at the retreat

Priscilla Meddaugh from Vancouver, Washington
"Lessons from the Garden"

Rebecca Phipps from Federal Way High School in Federal Way, Washington
"A Case for Preschool Writing Instruction"

Tom White from Lynnwood Intermediate in Lynnwood, Washington
"A Source of Association Leaders" published in January 2005 issue of WE (Washington Education Association members, monthly magazine)

Kelly Cannard from Jason Lee Middle School in Vancouver, Washington
"Hybrid Roles: Inventing a High Mileage, High Performance Profession"

Creating a funded, certified career step for instructional leaders with demonstrated mastery of both teaching and coaching teachers will strengthen teaching throughout our schools. Two instructional coaches describe the impact of their work and stress the importance of National Board Certification in defining excellent teaching.

Merle Hom from Meadows Elementary, North Thurston School District, Lacey, Washington
"A Writer's Notebook, Making Writing Come Alive." Published in the ASCD's newsletter - Classroom Leadership, November 2004, Volume 8, Number 3

Sheila Gaquin from Shaw Island Elementary on Shaw Island, Washington
"You Can Do It", published in December, 2004 issue of California English

Niels Peterson from Harrington High School in Harrington, Washington
"The Positive Benefits of a Small Rural School to our Local Congressional Representatives"

Val Schroeder from Stanwood High School in Stanwood, Washington
"Voices from the End of the Line"

Jana Dean from Bush Middle School in Tumwater, Washington
"Beyond Safe: A nonviolent classroom"