The Northern Virginia Writing Project is an affiliated site of the National Writing Project, the largest staff development project for teachers in the country. NVWP’s mission is to improve writing and learning across Northern Virginia schools.Through the professional development model of the National Writing Project, NVWP recognizes the primary importance of teacher knowledge, expertise, and leadership.

NVWP began in 1978, and has been directed by Dr. Donald R. Gallehr since its inception. Along with being a member of The National Writing Project, NVWP is also a member of the Virginia Writing Project, which consists of eight sites throughout the state of Virginia.

NVWP is a cooperative effort of George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, and the public and private schools of Northern Virginia. NVWP is housed at George Mason University in Fairfax. It works with public and private schools in the following counties and districts: Arlington, Alexandria City, Clarke, Fairfax, Falls Church City, Fauquier, Frederick, Fredericksburg, Loudoun, Manassas City, Manassas Park City, Prince William, Shenandoah, Stafford and Winchester.

The Northern Virginia Writing Project offers a wide variety of services to the public and private schools of Northern Virginia. These services include in-service programs, conferences, and other programs.

The goals of NVWP include:

• To improve writing and learning in kindergarten through university classrooms
• To extend the uses of writing in all disciplines
• To provide schools, colleges, and universities with an effective professional development model
• To identify, celebrate, and enhance the professional role of successful classroom teachers

Also see …

• 2006-2007 Project Organization: programs and board members
• How NVWP Can Help: information about how NVWP can help administrators, teachers, parents and students
• Site Map: an overview of the pages and categories on this site