| The Appalachian Writers Guild |
| An opportunity for teachers to write about their Appalachian heritage |
| The Appalachian culture is one that is celebrated within the Athens Community, Ohio University, and The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education in many ways. Dr. JoAnn Dugan, Professor, Teacher Education, recently created a new project that allows teachers, children in local elementary schools, faculty, and Ohio University students express their feelings about Athens' interesting and rich culture – in writing. |
The Appalachian Writers Guild is a project that celebrates the development of writing and promotes a setting where members can write about their Appalachian heritage and traditions. It will create a network of writers who will collaborate together to support teachers and offer a forum for sharing stories and writings.
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The Appalachian Writer's Guild recently published the first issue of their newsletter, New Beginnings, A Newsletter for Teachers Who Write. |
“The project is just getting started,” said Dugan. “We wrote a newsletter over the summer that featured articles written by teachers and we're in the process of crafting a book of their writing.”
The project offers those involved the chance to have their writing heard and critiqued in a peer response group. This creates a comfortable setting where members can openly express themselves.
"Once they started writing, they seemed energized and the words flowed,” Dugan said. “This ongoing process of writing daily with other writers helped the teachers overcome their initial fear of writing and encouraged them to continue writing even when the workshop ended.”
Teachers involved in the project benefit from professional development, including learning new writing processes and partaking in guided practice.
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JoAnn Dugan created the Appalachian Writer's Guild to encourage teachers to write. |
“It was extremely rewarding to see the teachers respond the way they did and take control of their writing," said Dugan. “I am thrilled to have the support of the Jennings Foundation and the 1804 grant to make this project happen.”
Dugan has been working to make arrangements with Vinton schools to place students in classrooms where they will help teachers with writing instruction, guide peer writing groups, and become writing mentors for the children.
"I intend to expand the project to involve other schools in the future,” Dugan said. “The project offers OU students opportunities to volunteer in the community and support the local schools.”