Who We Are
Founded in 1987, Prairie Lands Writing Project is northern Missouri’s only National Writing Project site. Our site began as a collaborative effort between Missouri Western State College, now Missouri Western State University (MWSU), and the St. Joseph School District (SJSD). We are currently housed in the Communication Department at MWSU.
In 1996, we changed our site name from the Writing Project at St. Joseph to Prairie Lands Writing Project (PLWP), reflecting our desire to serve teachers beyond the borders of our city. We have been successful in that we now deliver a range of programs year-round throughout northern Missouri: teacher learning communities, writing groups and retreats, in-services, youth writing camps, advanced institutes and open institutes.
We aim to improve student writing and literacy skills, grades K – 16, providing professional development opportunities for teachers, using the teachers’ teaching teachers model.
Our Goals
- Improve writing instruction K-college
- Provide a professional and intellectual home for literacy educators at all levels
- Promote the National Writing Project’s “teachers teaching teachers” model
- Advocate for literacy education, teachers, schools, students, and communities
- Promote professional development which includes a belief that the best teachers of writing are writers themselves
Core Programs
- Invitational Summer Institute
- Graduate courses and programs
- Youth writing programs
- High School Writing Day
- Writing marathons and retreats
- Advanced Institutes
- School-based in-service
Mission Statement
The Prairie Lands Writing Project, founded in 1987 and housed at Missouri Western State University, works to improve student writing and the teaching of writing throughout northwest Missouri.
