Our priorities at Deep Writing Project are simple: Community. Leadership. Craft.
Community
Teaching can be isolating work. The Deep Writing Project creates space for educators to connect with one another as thinkers, writers, and collaborators.
Participants join a learning community where they share ideas, examine classroom practice, and reflect together on the challenges and possibilities of teaching writing. These relationships often extend far beyond the program itself, forming networks of support that continue throughout the school year and across schools.
In this space, educators are not only participants, they are also contributors to a shared professional community.
Craft
At the center of the Writing Project is the belief in the power and joy of writing.
Participants spend time developing their own writing practice, experimenting with genre and voice, and reflecting on how writing shapes thinking and learning. By experiencing the challenges and possibilities of writing themselves, educators deepen their understanding of how to support students as writers.
This focus on craft strengthens classroom instruction while also reconnecting educators with the creative and reflective dimensions of their work.
Leadership
A core belief of the National Writing Project is that teachers are leaders. They drive the culture and practices that make education transformative.
The Deep Writing Project supports educators in developing and sharing their own expertise. Participants facilitate conversations, share classroom strategies, and contribute to a growing body of knowledge about instruction and student engagement.
Through this process, educators strengthen their ability to lead in their classrooms, schools, and the broader Savannah community.
We know each teacher is an expert in their own experience and brings unique funds of knowledge to our cohort, which is why our site is open not just to local K-12 teachers but to university and community-based educators, too.
Part of the National Writing Project
The National Writing Project (NWP) is a nationwide network dedicated to improving the teaching of writing and learning in schools. For nearly five decades, NWP has supported educators through teacher-led professional learning communities grounded in inquiry, collaboration, and classroom practice.
Deep Center is honored to be the first National Writing Project site based in a community organization. Our site continues the NWP tradition in Savannah, connecting local educators to a national network while remaining deeply rooted in the needs and experiences of local schools and communities.
Educators from across Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools and surrounding communities, including higher education and community-based organizations, are invited to apply to be part of our Deep Writing Project cohort each year.
Participants leave with:
- A stronger personal writing practice
- New approaches to teaching writing across disciplines
- A professional network of educators committed to meaningful learning
- Opportunities for continued collaboration and leadership
To learn more about Deep Writing Project or apply for an upcoming cohort, see more here, or email Mel@deepcenter.org