PLWP is the Prairie Lands Writing Project, based at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, MO, is an affiliate of the National Writing Project.
09/17/2025
Mark your calendars! The 2026 Write to Learn Conference will be April 9-10 in Columbia, hosted by the Missouri Writing Projects Network. Learn more about submitting a proposal for a breakout session by Nov. 7. Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVPHSeHIHRtXDbtaNHJpnMk04lZP8mM4BhACbu2zWRjvgMEw/viewform?fbzx=6982163824318242290
07/18/2025
Congratulations to our newest PLWP Teacher Consultants who completed the 2025 Summer Institute this week! Please welcome Stacey Miller (SJSD), Taylor Noll (Excelsior Springs), Lori Reynolds (West Platte), Rae Lynn Stroud (returning TC, SJSD), Norelyn Data (SJSD), Megan Rau (SJSD), and Tommy Stewart (SJSD). Facilitators Elisabeth Alkier (SJSD), Cindy King (SJSD), and Susan Martens (MWSU) could not be more proud of the amazing writing and learning created by this awesome group! Thank you, National Writing Project, for this enduring professional development model!
07/03/2025
Our Summer Institute just concluded week 2! We had a blast on the writing marathon last week getting out and about in Saint Joseph. Yesterday PLWP Co-Director Elisabeth Alkier led two of our favorite activities: Writing into the Day with shoes and the infamous play-doh revision exercise. We can't wait for the Inquiry Project demonstrations to start next week!
Our Summer Institute application deadline has been extended to April 1. PLWP TCs, please nudge your recruits!
The Summer Institute application deadline is April 1. Don't let folks miss out on the chance to receive graduate tuition scholarships of over $2000 and to experience the best professional development ever!
09/25/2024
Help PLWP recruit NOW for the Summer Institute, before summer calendars fill up! We offer the SI only EVERY TWO YEARS now, and Summer 2025 is the next opportunity. Reach out to your educator friends and colleagues and remind them that, if accepted, applicants receive FREE MWSU tuition for 6 graduate credits (worth over $2000). Our new hybrid format also means just 1 day on campus for each of the 4 weeks, with lots of built-in work time. All educators in all content areas and levels are eligible-- not just English teachers, but space is limited to just 16 scholars. More info and application at https://forms.gle/18uofHv9vTSiYe2D7
09/25/2024
Hey, Teacher Consultants! Help the National Writing Project by completing this super-short survey about what influenced you to apply for the Summer Institute!
NWP Connection Survey National Writing Project has formed a working group, and our goal is to collect information about what has attracted educators to the NWP network. Thank you for sharing!
06/17/2024
Wr had a great time at Conception Abbey again for the teacher leadership writing retreat! Many thanks to all of the educators who came and to the incredible Abbey staff for their warm hospitality!
04/25/2024
Writing Marathon fans, treat yourself to The New Orleans Writing Marathon Retreat, held June 24-26 in New Orleans. Open to all writers, it is only $25/day or $60 for the whole retreat, with a great block of inexpensive rooms available at the Hotel Provincial just a block away from the retreat venue in the gorgeous French Quarter. Check out writingmarathon.com for more info! https://www.writingmarathon.com/retreats
Summer Retreat Summer Retreat featuring the New Orleans Writing Marathon experience
11/01/2023
As a reminder to area educators, the Scholastic Writing Awards submission system is now open. Teens in grades 7–12 (ages 13 and up) can apply in 10 categories of art and writing. The deadline for the Missouri Region is January 5.
Program coordinator and Director of the Greater KC Writing Project, Katie Kline, says, "This contest is a great way for students to earn regional and national recognition. Over the years, we've heard from many students who entered because they were encouraged to do so by a teacher and were surprised when they won. The entry fee of $10 for an individual entry or $30 for a senior portfolio can be waived for financial need. National medalists can receive scholarships of up to $12,500, and all Missouri winners will be featured in our digital publication of Missouri Youth Write. We will host an Open House for the winners and their families at the Boone County Historical Center on March 9, 12-2pm."
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