Eleven teachers from four Northwest Arkansas schools recently participated in the Northwest Arkansas Writing Project’s “Day of Writing” at the George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, Missouri.
Seth French, a doctoral graduate from the College of Education and Health Professions’ Department of Curriculum and Instruction, led the event for a third year. The day began with a guided tour of the monument’s grounds, and participants gained a deeper understanding of Carver’s life and work.
Teachers also had the opportunity to explore the monument’s archives, where a park ranger offered them a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into Carver’s historical legacy. “This experience proved to be an inspirational starting point for the writing activities and discussions that ensued,” said Vicki Collet, an associate professor of curriculum and instruction and NWA Writing Project leader.
During afternoon session, participants engaged in thought-provoking debriefing sessions, reflecting on the morning’s tours. They shared their most impactful insights, which included admiration for Carver’s resilience and self-motivation despite not having a formal education. “The quote, ‘My idea is to help the man farthest down,’ from George Washington Carver, resonated with many, reinforcing the importance of guiding students to find their passions and overcome obstacles,” Collet said.
The monument’s dedication to presenting Carver’s history authentically and the educators’ commitment to being truthtellers inspired the teachers to contemplate the significance of representing diverse perspectives and stories in their classrooms. They discussed the importance of approaching life with a growth mindset and fostering mentorship with their students. Participants acknowledged the need to provide students with time, freedom and confidence in their writing, as well as authentic opportunities for practice and feedback. They explored strategies for instilling the value of personally generated ideas and the importance of writing as a process rather than a final product.
The teachers shared positive writing tasks and units they had implemented in their classrooms to inspire the work that came out of their paired/group planning time. “This ‘Day of Writing’ at George Washington Carver National Monument provided a transformative experience for the participating teachers,” Collet said. “They left the event with newfound inspiration, practical lesson ideas and a commitment to empower their students as writers and thinkers. The insights gained from Carver’s legacy and the monument’s dedication to authenticity will undoubtedly enrich their classrooms and nurture a love for writing among their students.”
Northwest Arkansas Writing Project is a professional organization focused on improving writing in area schools. As one of about 200 National Writing Project sites, it provides professional development for educators and young writers. For more information about Writing Project events, contact Collet at collet@uark.edu or visit nwawp.uark.edu/.
