This past June, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education’s Hawaiʻi Writing Project launched its inaugural Advanced Writing Institute, STE 697, under the direction of Co-Directors and School of Teacher Education Faculty Dr. Charlotte Frambaugh-Kritzer and Dr. Stephanie Buelow.
Eighteen teachers from Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island participated in the Advanced Writing Institute, an intensive professional learning experience centered on writing and teacher leadership. Their work culminated in a week-long Young Writers Camp that served approximately 150 students in grades 3–8 from the Roosevelt Complex and Niu Valley Middle School.
Across five days, the immersive Young Writers Camps invited young writers to write, create, and grow in joyful and supportive communities of writers. The goal was simple but important: to help young writers experience writing as something meaningful and fun while building confidence and developing a stronger sense of themselves as writers.
Noelani Elementary School served as the site for approximately 90 rising 3rd–5th grade students from Noelani, Hokulani, Mānoa, and Lincoln Elementary. This site was supported by 11 teachers and 2 camp directors, including Dr. Stephanie Buelow and Punahou teacher and Hawaii Writing Project alumn, Jill Sprott.
Stevenson Middle School served 25 students from rising grades 6-8 from SMS. This site was supported by 3 teachers and primary site director Dr. Charlotte Frambaugh-Kritzer.
Niu Valley Middle School served approximately 40 rising 6th grade NVMS students. This site was led by Hawaiʻi Technology Academy and Hawaiʻi Writing Project alumn Marybeth Baldwin, along with four teachers.
For Frambaugh-Kritzer and Buelow, one of the most exciting parts of the institute was watching teachers immediately put their learning into practice with young writers. The camps created a space where teachers could collaborate, try new ideas, and learn alongside children all while giving students the chance to experience writing in ways that were creative and engaging.
The Inaugural Hawaiʻi Writing Project Advanced Invitational Institute and Young Writers Camp was proudly supported by the College of Education Dean’s Office, School of Teacher Education, and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation.
For information about the Hawaiʻi Writing Project, please contact hwp@hawaii.edu.
