The Third Coast Writing Project at Western Michigan University is an organization of, by, and for teachers of writing at all grade levels and in all disciplines, dedicated to improving the teaching and uses of writing through a variety of programs. Working from a firm belief in the power of classroom-tested knowledge, the Writing Project chooses as consultants successful practicing teachers who have participated in the Invitational Summer Institute on the campus of Western Michigan University. These Teacher Consultants work with teachers in all subject areas, sharing best practices and working with teachers on their own writing. Throughout the academic year our Teaching Consultants conduct professional development workshops in school- and district sponsored programs. Each series is designed to meet the needs of the teachers in the district involved.
Teachers are the best teachers of other teachers.
Successful practicing teachers have a credibility unmatched by outside consultants or packets of teacher-proof materials. Summer Institutes should involve teachers from all levels of instruction, elementary school through college. Students need daily writing experience from the early primary grades on through the university years. Summer Institutes should involve teachers from across the disciplines. Writing is as fundamental to learning in science, in mathematics, and in history as it is in English and the language arts.