Rider University Writing Project

The Rider University Writing Project works with area educators to improve writing and literacy learning across disciplines at all levels.  Rider University Writing Project fulfills this mission by:

• providing high-quality professional development in writing and the teaching of literacy to K-12 educators,
• developing and sharing resources in writing, generate and contribute to research, and
• working with teachers to strengthen student achievement and literacy learning in this digital, interconnected world.

We offer a variety of campus-based opportunities for area educators and are available for outreach in the schools. 

Founded in 2000 as the Trenton Area Writing Project, Rider University Writing Project is affiliated with the National Writing Project, a network of university-based professional learning communities.Rider University Writing Project has a number of teacher consultant affiliates in communities near Rider.  They teach in public and private schools in kindergarten through high school, in content areas, such as social studies, English, mathematics, and the sciences, in specialist areas, such as art and physical education, and in supervisory areas, such as language arts and mathematics.  Their students benefit from their enthusiasm, skill, and continued collaboration with other writing project teachers. A conservative estimate of the number of students who have been served by Rider University Writing Project teachers since our first summer institute in July of 2000 is 24,000 students.

Rider University Writing Project continues to support area teachers and schools through grants and projects that create significant partnerships between individual teachers, schools, and districts. Rider University Writing Project is the proud recipient of grants that bring pre-K-12 teachers to the Rider campus and Rider University Writing Project teacher consultants to area schools to offer ongoing support in the areas of literacy instruction. Through thorough, embedded campus and school-based professional development Rider University Writing Project is able to support best practices in literacy instruction.

Rider University Writing Project teachers deeply value their writing project association.  As one teacher put it, “With my colleagues, I am smarter, I can go deeper and create new knowledge. I don’t have to do this alone.”