#TeachWritetober21

It's that time of year when leaves begin to fall, sweaters come out of hiding in the closet or drawers, and pumpkin spice is baked into every food product imaginable. 

But that also means it is time for #TeachWritetober21.

#TeachWritetober is a group of teacher-writers who challenge themselves to write for the month of October. No guidelines, no rules...just writing. Writing for me and only me. Writing what I want and when I want. Writing for the sheer joy of putting words on paper. Doesn't that sound wonderful?

But there is more! There is built-in support. If you don't know what to write about, each day you will get an email with an invite to write. If you already have a writing project, then that is ok too. There is an accountability sheet to help you keep track of your writing. 

Although there are no rules, I have set some goals for the month.

• Increase joy writing - It seems as though most of my writing, when I do write, is attached to some type of commitment. I want to spend time in my notebook just for the joy of observing what is around me, capturing moments in my day, and experimenting with new muses.
• Write five blog posts - I miss this writing space, but often wonder if blogs are becoming obsolete. I hope not, so I will plan to spend some here writing about a day in my life as a reader, a writer, and a teacher.
• Be creative - I have recently found the joy of art journaling. I have bought some new supplies and want to try them out this month.

I try to teach my students that writing isn't all about school. That writing should be fun and playful and joyful. Maybe I need to practice telling that to myself this month.

If you would like to join me and many others for a month of writing, then check out all the information here. Come be a part of our third annual #Teachwritetober21 - where teacher-writers support other teacher-writers! 

We would love to have you!

#TeachWrite Twitter Chat

Back in January I chose a one little word - Rise. After choosing a word, I never know where it is going to take me, and I cherish those moments when it takes me by complete surprise.

I have been a writing teacher for ten years, but I have been a teacher-writer for about four. Writing has changed me as a person, as well as a teacher.

I am blessed to have connected with so many other teachers who write and share my passion about writing. Although these connections come from all over the world, when we share this passion, the distance becomes insignificant, and the passion unites us in ways I would have never dreamed.

I have joined Jennifer Laffin, Margaret Simon, and Michelle Haseltine in creating a new Twitter chat - #TeachWrite.  Our goal is to create a place to share our writing experiences with teacher-writers and with those teachers who want to begin the writing journey.

We rise when we lift others. It is my hope that this new chat becomes a place for us to lift other teachers, and a place for our writing to rise as well.

Do you….

Believe that teaching writing is easier when teachers are writers themselves?

Believe that our own writing lives deserve to be nurtured?

Believe that all writers grow through dedicated writing time?

Believe that all writers need support and encouragement?

Believe that writing is a messy process and the best way to learn this is through our own practice?

Believe that when teachers write, they make writing a priority in their classrooms?

Our chat will support teachers not only in their quest to become better teachers of writers but to become better writers ourselves.

In addition, each chat will end with an invitation to write!

Please join us!

Our first chat is Monday, August 7th at 7:30 PM EST with the topic of  “Writing for the JOY of It!”

You can sign up to receive a monthly reminder of our #TeachWrite chat by signing up for a Remind: remind.com/join/teachwri