The Leatherstocking Writing Project (LSWP) elevates the professional knowledge, expertise, and leadership capacity of K-12 public school teachers in the Leatherstocking Region of Central New York. We aim to empower teachers from across a variety of disciplines to engage diverse learners in transformative writing practices. The LSWP also provides free youth enrichment programs to local K-12 students. We believe that building strong writing and critical thinking skills prepares students to make positive contributions to our communities: local, regional, national, and global.
Who We Are
The Leatherstocking Writing Project (LSWP) is a chapter of the National Writing Project (NWP), the nation's largest network of K-university teachers. The NWP provides teachers with resources for teaching writing, aiming to empower educational leaders in communities across the nation. Through the NWP, the LSWP provides these resources to teachers in the Leatherstocking Region.
What We Do
Teacher Professional Development
The LSWP offers development opportunities to area teachers through various programs.
We host a yearly Invitational Leadership Institute (ILI) to support teacher leadership development. Upon completing this program, teachers organize and present at an annual symposium and become Teacher Consultants (TCs). These TCs partner with the LSWP to host future ILIs.
This year, we launched a Seal of Civic Readiness Institute (SCRI) to help teachers incorporate recently added New York State civics requirements into their curriculum.
Additional activities include professional development workshops on topics like media literacy, environmental awareness, and community building.
Youth Enrichment and Family Programming
The LSWP offers free youth enrichment opportunities to K-12 students in the Leatherstocking Region.
We host these youth enrichment programs throughout the school year. Usually consisting of four Saturday sessions, these programs focus on building local community and environmental literacy through fun activities such as board games design.
We also participate in the annual Write Out Campaign hosted by the NWP in collaboration with the National Parks Service to engage in place-based writing. This program is available to people of all ages, including families.
Who We Reach
We aim to reach:
- K-university teachers in the Leatherstocking Region of Central New York, across all disciplines and grade levels.
- K-12 students in the Leatherstocking Region of Central New York.
We also provide opportunities for 17勛圖厙 education majors to gain hands-on experience by leading youth enrichment programming.
Empire State Writing Project Network
The LSWP works with the Empire State Writing Project Network (ESWPN) to coordinate events to benefit teachers across New York State. ESWPN sites include:
- University at Albany: Capital District Writing Project | University at Albany
- University of Rochester: Genesee Valley Writing Project | Warner School of Education
- New Paltz State University: Hudson Valley Writing Project | SUNY New Paltz
- Lehman College: New York City Writing Project | Lehman College
- Onondaga Community College: National Writing Project @ OCC | Onondaga Community College
- Buffalo State University: Western New York Writing Project | SUNY Buffalo State University
Contact
108 Ravine Parkway
322 Fitzelle Hall
Oneonta, NY 13820
United States