Matt Weller, USD 379 Communications Coordinator
Students at Clay Center Community High School are getting noticed across the country as great writers in a unique way. The Flint Hills Writing Project (FHWP), affiliated with Emporia State University, is working to build skills with both students and educators. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this site is part of the National Writing Project (NWP), which marks its 50th year in existence. It is the longest running teacher professional development in the country.
CCCHS English and journalism teacher Kelsie McFadden was introduced to the NWP by colleague Dawn Murphy. Murphy’s involvement began in 2015, influenced by former English teacher Paul Lane. “He told me I needed to do it, and it is the best professional development I have ever been involved with.”
CCCHS was recommended for a MacArthur Foundation Civic Journalism Grant in May by Heather Caswell, one of the site directors with FHWP, due to its rural location and its affiliation with NWP. McFadden is now using the writing modules created by the NWP with her students. CCCHS is the only school in the state of Kansas, and is just a handful of schools in the nation, to receive the grant.
“This program is about connecting students with community storytelling,” McFadden says. Students in her journalism and yearbook classes are engaging in impactful projects, such as creating “Humans of Clay Center” pieces, where they interview local figures who have influenced their lives. Some of these stories have been posted on the NWP “Our Towns, Our Stories” website. “It’s been cool to see the community partnerships. So many people in Clay Center are willing to share their stories, and that has been really positive for our students.”
One student who had her profile published in the NWP website was sophomore Chloe Holte. “I chose to interview Stefanie Lane, the principal at Garfield. I had her as a 4th grade teacher, and I wanted to find out why she wanted to become a principal. I think it’s pretty cool that I was able to be part of this process.”
As the semester progresses, students will compile physical and digital maps of Clay Center, highlighting the local individuals they wrote about throughout the semester. “It’s a way to visualize our community and recognize the people who make it special,” McFadden says.
One of the most compelling aspects of the project is its emphasis on collaboration, not only among CCCHS students, but also with students across the nation. “We’ve met with teachers from North Dakota whose students read our work in Kansas,” McFadden says. “It’s incredible to see how connected we all are.”
Looking ahead, both educators are hopeful about the future of this initiative, despite the grant’s timeline ending in December. McFadden wants to incorporate more modules created by the NWP, which offer structured guidance for student writers. “We’ve seen how beneficial this program is, and I want to find a way to continue these projects,” McFadden says. “These resources are incredibly helpful.”
