I haven't had a chance to reflect on what an incredible job Kristin, Rich, and Janine did in their National Parks/Outdoor writing workshop. The design was amazing, offering storytelling-sharing, resources, and opportunity to play, too. I sat in the back of the room to take it all in, and it was phenomenal. There were many in attendance and they were soaking every word in, including the wonderful student work that Janine brought to share. As context, Kristin and Rich have been leading Reading Landscapes & Writing Nature with Weir Farm National Historical Park for several years now. Janine attended these workshops twice and has brought the out-of-school learning back to her classroom, getting her kids outside and threading what was offered into ways that she and her students love. I told NWP colleagues with me in the back of the room that it is amazing to watch from a distance...to really see the impact that work has had.
The photo was sent from Kristin, and also features Fola who was there to present on another project (the collaboration between two high schools) and we were about to leave the NWP social on Friday night (many of us still digesting steak from the night before).
Shucks. Looking at the clock, I already see the agenda for the day starting with on-campus meetings. It sort of makes my stomach churn, only because I returned from a whirlwind of travel, obligations, reunions, and presentations. I can already feel my body saying, "No more." I don't want to get sick.
But here's to the weekend ahead and the beautiful people doing the work for NCTE and beyond.