The Borinquen Writing Project has scheduled it workshops for the January – May semester. We are eager to have you as participants. So, don’t miss this experience that I am certain will be gratifying for you as a teacher. I’m sure you will not regret it. Open the link and check them out. Spread the word and bring a colleague we will be waiting for you!
The Leadership Committee was interested in knowing the opinion of directors, teachers, students and parents related to writing and attending workshops. As a result they handed out some questionnaires in several schools grades 4th to 12th and the results will be discussed by the members promptly. Their intention is to analyze and discuss this data and work based on it. Further information will be provided.
This year the National Project Annual Meeting took place in San Antonio Texas during the month of November. As the new Tech Liasion I was eager to attend and experience everything the was available for me. The anxiety was high because even though I’ve been part of the Borinquen Writing Project for 2 1/2 years and know the director and professors Myrna Monllor, Helen Domenech and Mireya Salazar, everything was new for me. I can only say that it was great! Everyone asked for Luis Colon, the previous Tech Liasion. They spoke very well of him. My experience having him as my professor has always been outstanding. Thank you Luis for everything you have taught me. I know your shoes will be difficult to fill but, I will do my best. I met a lot of people and acquired many tips that I will put in practice. I am looking forward for next year’s meeting.
Elizabeth Ruiz
TL- BWP
A Great Opportunity
By Mildred Serra
It all started when Mr. De Jesus, Math supervisor of Toa Baja, went to my school. He was checking my binder and said I would be a good candidate for the Pilar Barbosa Internship. It really was a surprise to me because I am an English teacher. He said it was open to all who were willing to spend some summer weeks in Washington DC. What did I have to lose? Opportunity knocks once at your door either you take it or lose it. I took it.
I remember that I applied and had faith I would go. I went to the interview and felt confident. Want to bet what happened? I was chosen to go with 24 other professionals. Not all were teachers; some were librarians, social workers, and even district superintendents. We had a welcome at San Juan and were told about the final details.
Time had arrived and me and another member of the Borinquen Project, Elizabeth Ruiz, were ready to go to. We would be roommates and that was great. We had a lot of expectations. The trip made us a little tired but not to stop us from the adventure that awaited us.
As the group arrived to its final destination, nothing to be compared with the movie, we were received with pizza and refreshments. We were then told that part of the group would arrive later that night. We also were asked if we were interested in going on this adventure and see where we would meet part of the time. We said ok, never thinking it would be such a long walk.
We walked from Virginian Suites, where we would stay to Roselyn Station. Then we took the orange line, on the Metro, to DuPont Circle. There we had to walk like 3 or 4 blocks to Washington Center. We were taken to the room where we would have our meetings and some workshops and then back to DuPont Circle arriving at Roselyn Station and then walked back to out rooms. We were exhausted, not knowing that the next day we would have a Scavenger Hunt; which was a walk through all DC and we had to visit places, get a funny souvenir, bring back a pretzel, and a nice picture; and finally be back on time. Our group met with another one and we became one big group. We accomplished the task and were back on time with our feet aching but full of a wonderful experience.
The experience was incredible; we met with the next governor of PR at his commissioner’s office in DC. It was nice; we had a chance to be a while in his office. We met at PRAFA, we visited museums, went and took workshops that taught us new things and about new sites. We met Mr. Zimmerman, who has a site for comic strip making. We found it could be very appealing to our students. We also met Gingrich, a human rights leader. We met a lot of interesting people.
We had the 4th of July off and who do you think Elizabeth and I saw? Did you guess? It was our ex Governor Mr Rosello. So, we did not lose an opportunity of taking a picture with him. The fireworks were fabulous.
We will miss DC but the learning that we went through will be with us forever.
We congratulate two of our TC’s for being selected to participate of the Pilar Barbosa Internship sponsored by the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly and The Washington Center. It was a four-week internship in Washington, D.C.
BWP created the new account with Tumblr. PLEASE, visit the site, create yours and enjoy the Web 2.0
BWP welcomes you to its FORUM. Just click on the BWPBLOG Forum heading on top of the page and discover the writing wonders.
Happy New Year 2008
El Borinquen Writing Project (BWP) les desea un Próspero Año Nuevo 2008 a todos los Teacher Consultants y Staff Members del National Writing Project. We hope this year will bring you blessings and wishes to continue the new tasks committed to the NWP.
Felicidades
BWP Tech Liaison Luis Colón was one of the ten young leaders 2007 of Junior Chamber International in Puerto Rico. Luis was awarded with the Scientific and/or Tecnological Development trophy. 
BWP Site Director Myrna Monllor, Helen Domenech and Carmen Medina attended the ceremony at Julita Ross Auditorium in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.
Congratulations!
