Invitational PhilWP Institute: Inquiry-Based Writing Pedagogies

1. Engaging Writing Instruction - Research-based practices to make writing instruction relevant, meaningful, and engaging for all students.
2. The College, Career, and Community Writing Program - An exploration of the principles of argument writing to deepen educators' understanding and help them design lessons that develop students' argumentation skills.
3. Critical AI Literacy - Understanding the role of AI in the classroom and reviewing resources to help educators guide students in critically engaging with this technology.
4. Writing as a Tool for Learning - How writing can facilitate deeper understanding and engagement across subjects.
5. Creating Writing Communities - Building an environment where students feel empowered to share their voices and ideas through writing.
6. Writing Philadelphia's Histories - Exploring how writing can engage students in Philadelphia's layered histories, connecting historical inquiry with personal narrative and civic engagement.
7. Writing, Memory, and Storytelling: Inspired by The Colored Girls Museum -  Examining the role of personal and collective storytelling in identity, history, and education, using The Colored Girls Museum (TCGM) as a lens to explore writing as a means of preserving and amplifying marginalized voices.

The 2025–2026 Invitational Professional Institute (IPI) includes a combination of in-person and remote sessions, designed to foster deep professional learning, community building, and sustained engagement with writing and teacher inquiry.

In-Person Sessions:

Held on select weekdays and Saturdays, these full-day, face-to-face gatherings (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM unless otherwise noted) provide space for immersive writing, relationship-building, and collaborative pedagogy.

Remote Sessions:

Held on weekdays in the evenings (4:30-7:30 p.m.), these Zoom-based sessions allow for accessible, flexible professional development focused on writing practice, instructional strategies, and collaborative inquiry.

Following the core sessions, participants are invited to remain active in PhilWP's network of teacher-leaders through opportunities to showcase work and co-lead professional learning:

May 2026 (dates & times TBA) — Youth Writing Showcase and PhilWP Fundraising Event

August 2026 (dates & times TBA) — Presenter at Upcoming Invitational PhilWP Institute

October 2026 (dates & times TBA)— Presenter at Celebration of Writing and Literacy Conference

We ask all participants to submit the following materials:

1. Contact information
2. School and professional information
3. A letter of support from your principal
4. A personal statement

The letter of support from your principal is an important part of your application. It helps us understand how your participation in IPI aligns with your school's goals and how your principal envisions supporting your continued professional learning. This letter doesn't need to be long—it simply needs to affirm your principal's support for your time in the program, including your participation in both in-person and virtual sessions, and their openness to you bringing your learning back to your school community. Principals may also wish to include reflections on your leadership, collaboration, and impact as an educator. We recognize that teachers' capacity to grow and share their learning is deeply connected to the support they receive from their school communities. This letter helps us ensure that participants are positioned to benefit from—and contribute meaningfully to—the collaborative spirit of IPI.

The personal statement offers an opportunity to share your perspectives on teaching and learning—particularly how writing fits into your vision of lifelong learning. We encourage you to reflect on the role writing plays in your own practice and growth, and to describe aspects of your teaching that you're interested in exploring further. You might also consider what experiences or approaches you'd be excited to share in conversation with other educators.

Please note that the personal statement should be no more than 3000 characters, and the Principal's letter should be no more than 5000 characters.