Invitational Summer Institute 2026
The Invitational Summer Institute (ISI) is the core of the CTWP's professional development programming, and it is an activity that is conducted by the 170+ sites of the National Writing Project across the nation. Teachers who apply for and attend the CTWP Invitational Summer Institute engage with other teachers and site directors to share and explore effective teaching strategies.
When the participants complete the ISI, they become Teacher Consultants for the National Writing Project and join the 500+ Teacher Consultants in the CTWP network.
This summer participants will meet in June. More information about the ISI can be seen below.
The Institute will be facilitated by Director Lori Assaf and Co-Director Valerie Taylor.
Click here to access applications for the 2026 Summer Institute.
An Invitation from the Central Texas Writing Project at Texas State University
To All Educators:
The Central Texas Writing Project's (CTWP) Invitational Summer Institute is a unique learning event for professional educators like you. If you enjoy discovering innovative ideas for teaching writing and reading, and if you want to grow as a writer as well as a teacher of writing, consider joining the 550+ outstanding educators who have become a member of the organization's network in Central Texas.
The CTWP at Texas State University is one of 175 National Writing Project sites serving all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico. As a non-profit professional development network, the CTWP’s goal is to support a community of Texas educators by creating opportunities for them to learn from each other as they develop writing and teaching strengths.
Every summer, the CTWP sponsors the Invitational Summer Institute for K-college educators in all discipline areas. As with all sites of the National Writing Project, the CTWP Summer Institute is built on a teachers-teaching-teachers model. The participants and two Co-Directors share knowledge and expertise to form and nurture a community of teacher-writers. As participants explore research-based scholarly literature, they build a strong base for their instructional practice.
Right: 2024 Invitational Summer Institute Participants
At the completion of the Institute, participants are recognized as National Writing Project Teacher Consultants and may be invited to facilitate inservice programs in various school settings and/or take leadership roles within National Writing Project programs at the local, regional, state, and national levels.
Teachers who attend the Summer Institute earn six hours of graduate credit from the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at Texas State University. They can also earn more than 90 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. Tuition for the 6 hours at Texas State University is approximately $3,500. The participant is responsible for payment; however, scholarships may be available from school districts, professional organizations, and other sources.
Institute participants meet on Zoom from June 2 to June 25, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. online. (Online meetings include time for off-line activity as well as breaks.) Participants also gather on May 16 for a Pre-Institute Meeting. This half-day Saturday online meeting will provide important information needed to prepare for the Institute.
If you are excited about opportunities to learn more about the craft of teaching, if you want to help your students improve their writing and reading skills, and if you are eager to explore your own writing with a small group of fellow educators, consider the online 2026 Invitational Summer Institute at Texas State University. When your application is received, you will be notified to schedule a short interview with Director Dr. Lori Assaf and/or Valerie Taylor. Also, a letter of recommendation from an administrator or colleague may be requested.
Right: Slide from Alexis McCammon’s demonstration lesson
6-13-2024
For more information, find us on Facebook or contact Dr. Lori Czop Assaf at lassaf@txstate.edu (512) 789-5975 or Valerie Taylor vfstaylor@gmail.com (512) 569-5057. You can find an application form on the website, on Facebook, or by request.
