JUNE 22 – JULY 10, 2026
9:00AM – 3:00PM at UCLA
Pre-Institute Orientation, June 13, 9:00-12:00
Week 1: 6/22-6/26
Week 2: 6/29-7/2
Week 3: 7/6-7/10
Writing Project Summer Invitational Institute 2026 – Apply by March 23
March 23
Become a member of our Writing Project Community!
Calling all teachers–Elementary and across all Secondary Content Areas!
Refine, elevate, and celebrate how you teach writing. Join other educators in the greater Los Angeles area who put students center stage. The UCLA Writing Project invites you to apply for our Summer Invitational Institute where you’ll be immersed in the teaching of writing. You will demonstrate your own prized practices, learn from a wonderful group of colleagues, and develop your own writing craft. Issues of social justice will be both the backdrop and foreground of our endeavors. We’ll cultivate a space for educational dialogue centered on anti-racism and anti-racist teaching of writing. We will explore what is at the heart of writing instruction in the age of generative AI. We’ll take advantage of curated resources and spend the summer with kindred spirits who choose joy over cynicism. English, social studies, mathematics, world language teachers, and all teachers of multi-lingual learners—this Project is for all of us!
“The Writing Project Invitational gave me a joyful purpose, moments to learn, and many lessons that I can take back to my classroom.”
– Reflection from a Participant
Institute Leaders
Daniel Buccieri
Grant High School
Writing Project Leadership Team
Angie Yi
Redondo Union High School
Writing Project Leadership Team
What We’ll Do During the Invitational
- Experience workshops centered on what really works in our teaching of writing.
- Write—in a variety of genres—and engage in a small writing group for attention, appreciation, and suggestions for the next draft.
- Learn from colleagues who teach the full span of grade levels.
- Curate a collection of teaching strategies, resources, and mentor texts to reach ALL of our students.
- Explore how to teach authentic writing in the age of AI.
- Incorporate pop culture and social media into the curriculum to increase student engagement and make content more relevant.
- Engage in critical conversations about combating racism in the classroom and in the teaching of writing.
- Help students learn how the natural world is being impacted and take action in pursuit of sustainable alternatives.
- Employ writing tasks or media projects that empower this generation to make a difference.
- Explore how your curriculum is evolving to meet students’ needs as readers and thinkers.
- Make lifelong professional connections.
UCLA Writing Project Fellowship
- A fellowship covers the full tuition for the three-week workshop.
- Teachers will receive a stipend to honor their participation and completion of all institute requirements.
How to Apply
Write your personal statement in one document:
- Provide a cover page with your contact information: name, phone, email address, name of school, current grade level and subjects taught.
- 1. Introduce your students. Who are they and what do they bring to your classroom? (1 page)
- 2. Describe a moment in your professional life when you tried something new or unconventional. What inspired you to take this intellectual risk, and how did the experience—whether it succeeded or not—shape your approach to teaching, creativity, or collaboration? What might this anecdote suggest about your particular brand of curiosity, teaching, and engagement with the world? (1-2 pages)
- 3. Describe yourself as a writer: i.e., your experiences, your joys, your hesitations (half-page).
- Please include your full name in the filename of your personal statement.
You will be asked to participate in a small group interview.
Application deadline –
March 23, 2026
We will evaluate your candidacy on the following criteria:
- Displays curiosity and openness to new approaches
- The response highlights the candidate’s willingness to take on challenges and try unconventional methods, showing how these experiences have shaped their teaching, creativity, and approach to collaboration.
- Shows reflective thinking and adaptability
- The candidate demonstrates the ability to engage with ideas or challenges that push them beyond their comfort zone, offering thoughtful insights into how these experiences have influenced their work or perspective.
- Commitment to collaboration and ongoing learning
- The candidate shows enthusiasm for working with others and engaging in a professional learning experience, reflecting a readiness to contribute to and grow within a collaborative environment.
- Demonstrates creativity and potential for innovation
- The response illustrates the candidate’s ability to think outside the box, bring fresh ideas to the table, and actively engage in meaningful ways.
We are able to offer 12 fellowships.
“Being accepted into the program was a dream come true for me, and it exceeded all my expectations. Meeting such passionate, kind, and intelligent educators has been truly inspiring. I feel incredibly fortunate that my application was chosen among many, and I am deeply grateful for the warm welcome I received into your community.”
– Reflection from a Participant
More Quotes from Participants
“This invitational was life-changing for me. I have regained my confidence in writing, and I am willing to take risks I hadn’t thought of before. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“For the first time in my life, I felt that my writing was validated. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to engage in writing this summer because everything has changed for me. I plan on being a published writer one day!”
“I am so thankful that I got to be a part of this group this summer! Everyone was so open and accepting, this fostered an environment where I could push myself outside of my comfort zone. I also appreciate how our teaching expertise was honored. It is powerful to grow and learn alongside such dedicated educators.”
