I don't know where I would be without the National Writing Project (NWP)!  During my first three years of teaching, I was fortunate enough to participate in a program funded through NWP called New Teacher Initiative (NTI).  It was a support group for teachers in my district who were new to teaching or new to the district.  Participants could attend for the first three years of their career.  It was a place to voice concerns as well as learn new strategies to take into my classroom the very next day.  I learned tactics of how to perform parent-teacher conferences, how to handle behavior problems, as well as fun, hands on projects all during the monthly meetings.  Because of the positive impact NTI, I became a part of the leadership team and gave back to other new teachers what I gained during my first few years of teaching.  Through NTI, I realized how important support groups are for new teachers.  I also participated in Summer Institute and gained even more insight into my teaching.  My students benefitted these programs as much as I did.  They gave me confidence and also a reflective mind to improve my teaching each day.  Through NTI and other programs that NWP provides, I have grown tremendously as a teacher.  I honestly don't know what kind of teacher I would be without the NWP!