Oregon Writing Festival

The 25th Annual Oregon Writing Festival will take place on
Saturday, May 2, 2009, at Portland State University... and YOU can be a vital part of this outstanding event for students.

Keynote speakers will be

Eric A. Kimmel, author of numerous award-winning childrens and young adult books including Hershel & the Hanukkah Goblins, Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock, The Two Mountains: An Aztec Legend, Cactus Soup, The Three Cabritos, and A Picture for Marc.

Susan Fletcher, author of many young adult novels including Alphabet of Dreams, OCTE's 2006 Oregon Spirit Book Award winner, the Dragon Chronicles Trilogy, Shadow Spinner, and Dadblammed, Union Army Cow.

Craig Lesley, author of Winterkill, The Sky Fisherman, Burning Fence: A Western Memoir of Fatherhood, River Song, and Storm Riders.

Workshop Leader Information

Jay Rishel (Wilsonville H.S.) is looking for teachers, grad. students, local authors, etc. to serve as Workshop Leaders for the following grade level groupings: Grades 4-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12.

What does a Workshop Leader do? Basically, you prepare a writing activity you can introduce to small groups of 18-22 students in about 5 minutes, the students write for 35 min. and then they share their work (total session time: 1 hour). You are there to assist and encourage the students' writing. These are creative kids, and they are eager to write. Workshop Leaders present the same workshop to two different groups.

What are the benefits of being a Workshop Leader? $50 stipend, lunch, the coveted 2008 Oregon Writing Festival coffee mug, the chance to hear keynote authors Carmen Bernier-Grand, Graham Salisbury, and Michele Glazier, and the opportunity to work with these bright young students. What a great way to spend a Saturday!

Interested? Download the Workshop Leader Proposal form, (Word) or (pdf) and submit it with a brief description of your proposed writing activity. Please submit it to the Workshop Leader coordinator, Jay Rishel. You may email him for more information at rishelj@wlwv.k12.or.us or call him at 503-673-7666. You may also download the Welcome Letter to Workshop Leaders that contains more information about the festival.

Feel free to pass along this message to your peers. Thanks.

More information about the Oregon Writing Festival

Takes place annually at Portland State University in the spring.

• Accenting writing as an art, craft and basic skill for Oregon students, grades 4 to 12
• Honoring outstanding student writers
• Recognizing writing teachers for high level student achievement in writing
• Encouraging effective classroom practices and home support to improve writing
• Increasing the interest and involvement of students and teachers in writing 
• Promoting writing activities and festivals in local districts and communities 
• Connecting student writers with Oregon authors and other student writers

For information about the Oregon Writing Festival, please contact: