| I'm writing in support of the National Writing Project. I am a teacher consultant of the project that lives in Overland Park, Kansas but teaches in the Kansas City, Missouri School District. I desperately need the energizing, articulate professional development and foundation the NWP gives. The network of teachers in the NWP and our meetings are a foundation of sanity for me and have revitalized my excitement for research and publishing. Every time I attend a NWP event, especially the amazing ones run by Director Katie Kline and the Greater Kansas City Writing Project members, I feel as if I have a new lease on intellectual creativity and am re-energized to teach and be a great teacher for my students, since they deserve no less. Recently in my junior English class, we were doing on-line research of the Harlem Renaissance. Students watched old footage of the time and performers. I commented that it looked as if they were having a blast while working and, "Wouldn't it be great to be paid to have fun?!" A student responded, "But Mrs. Trofimoff, you have fun." Of course he was right and I'm pleased they KNOW I have fun every day with them. I love teaching and where I teach, but honestly, sometimes fighting the good fight--everyday--leaves you exhausted and battle worn. The NWP gives me that community of support of like-minded, wicked brilliant educators, to regroup, refocus and refresh with, so I know I can continue the battle to do what is right everyday for my students. Sure writing, workshopping, revising and writing again is time consuming, but they end up writing such amazing texts! To see their joy of where they started and how far they have come is PRICELESS. I share my writing with them too, so they understand it is a process and journey for all of us, not just in high school and college, but in the world as thinking, active, fun-loving citizens that want to do what is right for our communities, our nation, and the world! Supporting the NWP is a critical piece of professional development that you can do for me as an urban educator and directly impacts my students for the betterment of their education, and therefore, you and our nation. Respectfully, Djana E. Trofimoff Greater Kansas City Writing Project |
