ORONO – Twenty-three educators completed the 2003 Maine Writing Project at the University of Maine this summer. Sponsored by the College of Education and Human Development, the invitational program is providing a force of trained writing instructors for students and other teachers.

The teachers improve their own skills through specialized training and make a commitment to provide instruction to other teachers and opportunities to enhance student writing. The Maine Fellows sponsor or collaborate in activities such as professional development conferences and advanced institutes on timely topics, and they provide opportunities for grades kindergarten through 12 students at events such as the annual Young Authors’ camp.

Area Fellows and their schools are:

Farmington: Leanne Condon, Mount Blue High School.

Gardiner: Debra Butterfield, Gardiner Regional Middle School.

Turner: Amanda Anderson and Dane Despres, Leavitte Area High School.

Winthrop: Dave Boardman, Winthrop High School.

Maine Writing Project co-directors were Richard Kent of Rumford, UMaine assistant professor of literacy, and Carol Lavine of Greene, adjunct faculty at UMaine and Central Maine Community College, Auburn.