The Great Bear Writing Project at UCA is a site of the National Writing Project whose goals include to improve the teaching of writing and learning in schools and communities by providing professional development, developing resources, generating research, and acting on knowledge.
The Great Bear Writing Project offers students particularly interested in the teaching of writing a chance to work with experienced teachers from various grade levels and to support the work of the Summer Institute.
Interns will engage in a number of tasks; some activities of former interns have included:
- Creating an anthology of participants’ work
- Assisting groups in using UCA library databases to find articles and information.
- Assisting groups in copying articles for group use, etc.
- Providing technical support for group presentations
- Designing flyers for promoting workshops
- Designing programs for workshops
More information about the Great Bear Writing Project, the Summer Institute, and past workshops can be found on the GBWP website.
Dates for the five-week Summer Institute vary though sessions in the past have typically begun around the middle of June.
Selection & Qualifications
The internship is competitive, with selection based on an application portfolio highlighting solid writing skills and creative talent.
To be eligible for an internship, students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a 3.25 in their degree program.
At a minimum, applicants should have completed at least nine hours of writing courses at the 3000-level.
Application Process and Deadlines
To apply, submit an application package that includes:
- A cover letter describing why you are interested in and qualified for this internship
- Two writing or editing samples
Applicants are required to submit their application materials to Dr. Kyle Mattson, Internship Coordinator, for review. Top candidates may be invited by the director of the Great Bear Writing Project to interview for the position.
CONTACT Dr. Stephanie Vanderslice about application deadlines.
Students may earn up to three hours of elective credit for the successful completion of this internship.
To be eligible for internship credit, students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a 3.25 in their degree program. In addition, applicants must have completed at least nine hours of writing courses at the 3000-level.
Enrollment in WRTG 4385 requires approval by Dr. Kyle Mattson, Internship Coordinator.
What Students Say About This Internship . . .
The best part of creating the anthology was reading the submissions of these teachers. Some were poets, others novelists, and some just plain thoughtful. I read stories of these teachers’ experiences in and out of the classroom, and I learned from what they wrote. I may just be an intern, but now I’m an intern with insight into what my future holds.