Sherry McGhay (2002 Institute) graduated in May from Missouri Western having successfully completed Prairie Lands Writing Project's 18-hour Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing. Fulfilling degree requirements for the Certificate this summer were Jerri Fischer (2007 Institute) and Christie Leigan (2004, 2005, 2007, and 2008 Institutes).
Pam Johnston (2000 and 2006 Institutes) has had the article she began at this year's PLWP Professional Writing Retreat accepted for publication in the fall edition of Missouri Reader, the journal for the state's International Reading Association organization.
Dr. Jeanette Westfall (1999 Institute) finished her doctorate in June from the University of Missouri – Columbia. She is the co-principal at St. Joseph Benton High School.
Six PLWP Teacher Consultants participated in the NWP's Local Site Research Initiative (LRSI) Natonal Scoring Conference in Denver, CO, in June: Rebecca Dierking (2001, 2006, and 2007 Institutes), Valorie Stokes (1994 Institute), Kathy Miller (2001 Institute), Mike Epperson(2004 Institute), Janet Jelavich (1998 Institute), and Missy Harper(2003 Institute). PLWP Teacher Consultants at the September 2008 LRSI scoring conference in Chicago included conference table leaders Tori Grable (1991 Institute) and Tina Janc (2000 Institute); and conference scorers Kathy Kreipe (2000 Institute), and Mike Epperson (2004 Institute).
Cayetana Maristela (2008 Institute) has published "The Last Chinese Chef" in the August 2008 issue of Here – Aqui.
Mary Lee Meyer (2002 Institute) was an online participant in the June 2008 NWP Tech Matters Institute. Also in June, she conducted "Digital Literacy" and "PowerPoint" workshops for area teachers through the Northwest Regional Professional Development Center, and she collaborated in an online conference podcast, "Summer Professional Development for Teachers," available in audio.
Joy Sherard (2006 Institute) is president of the Northwest Region of Missouri State Teachers Association, 2007-2008; after October 1, she will continue to serve MSTA as Immediate Past President, 2008-2009.
Elizabeth Latosi-Sawin (1987 Institute) presented a paper at the national meeting of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning (an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English) at Mount Madonna, California. Her presentation for this conference on the Wisdom Tradition in Higher Education was entitled "Growing Deep Like the River." Dr. Sawin also represented MWSU at the American Democracy Project seminar on Civic Engagement in Action: The Stewardship of Public Lands (Politics and the Yellowstone System) in Yellowstone National Park. This seminar was sponsored by the Yellowstone Association Institute and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.