English Education Collaborative Overview

 

Founding Director:  

 

Dr. Krystia Nora (Cal U English Department, Western PA Writing Project)

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Co Directors:

Dr. Connie Monroe (Cal U Graduate Education Department Chair, Scholastic Art and Writing of Southwestern PA)

 

Judith Totty (Scholastic Art and Writing of Southwestern PA)

 

Secretary:

 

Janice Hatfield (Scholastic Art and Writing of Southwestern PA)

Treasurer:

Dr. Susan Morris-Rutledge (Cal U English Department)

 

Board of Directors

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Dr. Beth Hutson Director of Pupil Services Brownsville Area School District

Randy Miller (Laurel Highlands School District)

Dr. Keat Murray (Cal U English Department)

Dr. Laura Roop (Western PA Writing Project, University of Pittsburgh Education Department)

Marissa Sacco (Pennsylvania Intermediate Unit 1)

Cynthia Shaffer (Westmoreland Intermediate Unit 7)

Kevin Smetak (Yough Intermediate Middle School Principal)

Dr. Lisa Yonek (Pennsylvania Intermediate Unit 3)

 

Mission Statement:  

 

Encouraging collaboration among stakeholders to impact learning in English Language Arts Classrooms in Southwestern PA.

 

Overview:  

 

The English Education Collaborative aims to foster professional development of language arts teachers and administrators in Southwestern PA classrooms.  

 

Goals:

 

• Bringing together area teachers, administrators, and students from Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette, and Greene Counties to share best methods in Language Arts instruction.

 

• Promoting language arts education and professional learning communities connecting middle and high school English educators (active and retired), administrators, curriculum coordinators, the local Writing Project, the local Intermediate Unit, Southwestern PA Scholastic Art and Writing, as well as English and Education faculty and students.

 

• Building relationships and improving lines of communication among stakeholders in English language arts education. 

 

History:  

 

The English Education Collaborative began in December of 2014 at California University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with the Intermediate Unit One and Southwestern PA Scholastic Art and Writing, and partnering with the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project and National Writing Project.

 

 Upcoming programs include:

 

• A yearly conference dealing with issues important to English Language Arts instructors and administrators.

• Creating and supporting the development of English education learning communities in the region, by offering three to five workshops a year.

• A summer WPWP workshop and retreat introducing participants to best teaching writing methods.  Participants will earn three graduate credits and will become full members of the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project, National Writing Project, and the English Education Collaborative.

• A one-week half-day summer writing institute for area students in grades 7-12.

• Coordination of 20th Century notebooking practices in Southwestern PA in partnership with the WPWP, Intermediate Unit One, and Carnegie Science Center.

• Promoting the development of libraries of key resources at area schools.

• Encouraging teachers and administrators to attend other area conferences, like  PCTELA (Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English and Language Arts).