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Do you have a positive comment or want to shout out someone's work? Do it here by creating a post using the plus sign in the bottom right corner!

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I liked the weaving of your reference to food into your personal story. It was awesome. I particularly like your admission that this is "your diesel" as priceless, but it is a more inside joke, not sure everyone would understand.

Also the UDL video blended well with your opening about food, since she explained using UDL at a dinner party.

Your approach is clever and easy to read, yet addresses the tough issues. The students love the visuals, keeps their attention. Nice job!

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💛 Thank You, CTWP Family 💛

As our time together comes to a close, I just want to say thank you—from the bottom of my heart. Being part of the Central Texas Writing Project has been one of the most meaningful and inspiring experiences of my career.

Over the past month, I’ve grown not just as a writer and educator, but as a person. You all created a space where voices were heard, stories mattered, and vulnerability was welcomed. I’m leaving with new friendships, fresh ideas, and a renewed love for writing.

Thank you for your wisdom, encouragement, laughter, and honesty. Thank you for sharing your writing, your heart, and your time. I will carry this experience with me always.

This isn’t goodbye—just a “see you soon.”

#CTWP #ForeverGrateful #WritingCommunity #TeachersWhoWrite

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Final Journal Entry and Farewell to my classmates

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Final Journal Entry and Farewell to my classmates

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Writing is 100% a tight shoe coming off. It's relief of the pressure of having things in my brain that need to come out. It's emotional release for someone who feels everything so intensely. It's reflection that allows growth. The initial pressure is necessary to facilitate the need to remove the shoe and release the pressure.

This has been one of the most personally and professionally enriching experiences I could imagine having. Thank you to Dr. Stephens, BobCat, Diane, and all of my classmates. Building connections with you all through writing and sharing will stay with me forever. I hope to not lose any of you, but realistically we will not all stay in touch. I hope you all find what you seek. I wish you only the best.

Till next time at 11:30,

Holly

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To my beautiful CTWP family,

As I sit with everything this summer has meant to me, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. I truly believe that God placed me here, at this exact time, in this exact space, with all of you, for a reason. What we shared together was more than just a writing institute. It was a journey of growth, healing, reflection, and transformation.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve poured so much of ourselves onto the page and into one another. We created a space where vulnerability wasn’t just welcomed; it was honored. We supported one another through tough topics, celebrated bold breakthroughs, and held space for the quiet in-betweens. It’s rare to find a group of people so genuine, so talented, and so deeply committed to the craft of writing and the art of teaching.

Each of you brought something so special to this experience. Your words inspired me. Your feedback challenged me. Your stories stayed with me long after the day ended. I leave this summer not only with stronger writing tools, but with a stronger sense of self.

Thank you for helping me grow, not just as a writer, but as a leader, a mentor, a teacher, and a friend. Thank you for the late laughs, the deep conversations, the quiet moments of reflection, and the loud moments of joy. I will carry these memories and this community with me as I move forward.

This experience has left an imprint on my heart, and I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my summer any other way.

May God continue to bless each of you as you return to your schools, your classrooms, your writing desks, and your lives. And may the seeds we planted this summer continue to bloom in ways we never imagined.

With love, light, and deep gratitude,
💛 Dani

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Holly Gardner is my big sister. She's brave, loyal, kind, understanding, and loving to all she surrounds herself with. Her journey to continue her education is so beautiful. She brilliant and so is her writing! Love you! jellybean!

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Thank you Whisner for the invitation to this cool event. It is a blessing to work with/have worked with so many creative people. I don't see myself as creative but I love hearing and reading others because I always feel a connection to their thoughts which makes me think I, too, could be a deep and thoughtful.

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Thank you for inviting me to view your writing! You shared a piece of yourself in each of your projects, and it shows. Thank you for trusting me with it. As a ELAR teacher and writer for fun when I have the time and creativity, I know how vulnerable a person must be to put their writing on display. I believe the time you spent in this class will only benefit your students this coming year. I look forward to partnering together to get our students writing more - with both academic and creative lenses.

Thank you!

Kimberly

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Really enjoyed every piece! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing and inviting me! 

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Really enjoyed every piece! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing and inviting me! 

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I visited today because of Kyla Ardoin, who I worked with for several years through National Writing Project of Acadiana. We were sorry to see her leave Louisiana, but I can tell she's found an amazing and supportive home with CTWP. Kyla, your memoir and poetry moved me this morning (as they always do, but I needed it this morning) --  thank you for the invitation! Look forward to reading more -- maybe a future collab with NWP-A! (Toby Daspit, Emeritus Consultant, NWP-A)

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I visited today because of Kyla Ardoin, who I worked with for several years through National Writing Project of Acadiana. We were sorry to see her leave Louisiana, but I can tell she's found an amazing and supportive home with CTWP. Kyla, your memoir and poetry moved me this morning (as they always do, but I needed it this morning) --  thank you for the invitation! Look forward to reading more -- maybe a future collab with NWP-A! (Toby Daspit, Emeritus Consultant, NWP-A)

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Congratulations to all of you! Your work is profound, meaningful, and engaging. I hope you enjoyed CTWP. It is a crown jewel of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. I wish I had gotten to meet all writers in person; however, the beauty of writing is that I got to know you in a deep and intensive way. I got to know you through your writing. Thank you for this opportunity -- Glenna Billingsley, Chair, Dept. of C&I, TXST

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Dear Kyla,

We go so far back, but you still look like as beautiful as you did in our Crockett days! Best of luck in your new assignment.

Glenna

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YOU are the true VIP! Thank you for investing your time and heart into all of our students. Writing and reading doesn't just happen in RLA class...our students at Wagner are so very lucky to have someone like you to model and enforce good writing skills. Also, we are all lucky to have passionate educators like you to fight for what is right in education. BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO...

Thank you for inviting me to be a part of this! You are my superstar!

Ashley

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Congratulations to everyone! It was so great to read through all of your writing, and y'all should all be proud of the work you put into it. Congrats as well to the CTWP and Liz for creating such a fantastic program. It's always a highlight of the summer! -- Doug Holschuh (Dr. H)

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I am honored to have been invited to attend today's Visitor's Day. I am so enormously impressed with the writing I saw, and am so proud of each participant for making the hard choice to put everything aside and grow as a writer and an individual. This community is unlike any other; these experiences will stay with you forever. I pray that each of you continue to explore who you are as writers and don't let the fire ignited here go out. This was the best decision I made as an individual writer and as a teacher of writing. I am so glad you each got to experience this for yourselves. Remember that you have community here, remember that you are forever part of this phenomenal network of writers, readers, and thinkers. I offer each of you such heartfelt congratulations for having worked so hard, shared so deeply, and written so beautifully. Congratulations to the 2025 cohort of the Central Texas Writing Project's Summer Institute. Best of luck to each you. Write on. - Jennifer Ellison

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I'm so glad I got a chance to swing through this morning and browse a bit with coffee on Mom's back patio here in Cleburne. Y'all have worked hard and thought big thoughts, and made yourselves vulnerable. It warms my heart to know that such amazing writing educators are out here doing good work. Thank you, Liz and Bob for the invitation, and the inspiration and guidance you bring each year to the institute! So glad to have been a part of this again! ~Lora D (CTWP '22)

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Dani is the kindest soul and the best teacher ever! May God bless you and this page full of amazing works and effort!❤️

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Dear Holly,

Thank you for inviting me into your world for a short time. I am so proud of you and look forward to hearing progress you make on any of these projects .

You are a truly talented woman!

Love, mom

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Thank you CTWP Summer Institute Writers!

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Thank you CTWP Summer Institute Writers!

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It has been such an honor to read about your lives, your passions and your expertise as writing teachers. My name is Lori Assaf (professor at Texas State) and past director of CTWP. I never logged into padlet- so my comments on your pieces will show up as anonymous. After reading about you all and the pieces you created- I feel the community energy and sense of dedication you have to your students and to teaching. Thank you for allowing me to witness to your support and respect for each other and your lives. Shout out to Dr. Liz Stevens who continues to create amazing communities of writers who cherish the intimate and vulnerable act of writing and teaching writing. She inspires me to be a better human being every day!

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Thank you for everything you've shared and all the advice and knowledge you have imparted on us all! It has been a honor and a privilege to share in this experience with you all, and I hope our paths cross continuously wherever our writing & teaching journeys take us in life!

Much love to you all and can't wait to see your names in print or on presentation rosters and be able to say "HEY! I know that person!"

~ Jennifer Whisner

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You are all amazing writers and educators, and it has been such a pleasure to have you join us this summer. Your writing and sharing teaching strategies have been inspirational, creative, and outstanding. Please keep in touch and best wishes always. - Diane Osborne

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Isabelle Voor, you rock 😎♥️

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It's been an absolute joy to write alonside y'all this summer. I'm so proud of your dedication and inspired by your creativity.

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Kudos to everyone here! I was part of the first virtual institute and visitors day. I remember discussing pros and cons of a virtual visitors day. I loved it but I have to say, how it has evolved and the level of talented educators here is breathtaking! Each and every one of you showed your amazing talent and creativity not only by the words you wrote but also by the presentation. Stand tall, you have much to offer our future authors!

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I enjoyed speaking with you daily about your assignments. I wanted to take part in this seminar. I think you get your writing skills from your father. I however, focus on the analytical side while you focus on the creative side.

I am very proud of you for pursuing higher education, just like your father. I guarantee that your graduate degree will open many doors for you.

Congratulations to the professor for putting together such a great seminar and to all the talented students who participated.

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You are a phenomenal writer. You have done such amazing work, and it has been an honor to watch you help and collaborate with your colleagues in person. You are an inspiration. Great job, Cassie! :)

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I was very touched reading the stories from my fellow Co-teacher Josie Young. The Fishing Story about your dad was so inspiring. I always knew you took your dad to be your advocate and your hero, but this tender story explains so much more! I see your relationship with your beautiful daughter as precious as your relationship was with your dad. You are a very gifted teacher and writer. Even though I sit with 26 years experience in teaching, I learned so much from you about enhancing student relationships and some top notch teaching strategies that I was excited to implement. You are a treasure, and a gift to education my dear friend. I am so proud of you and inspired by you!

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Josie Young

Thanks for sharing these very talented stories from such a talented group of educators. It is very impressive and inspiring. I especially loved your work, Josephine!

I was very touched reading the stories from my fellow Co-teacher Josie Young. The Fishing Story about your dad was so inspiring. I always knew you took your dad to be your advocate and your hero, but this tender story explains so much more! I see your relationship with your beautiful daughter as precious as your relationship was with your dad. You are a very gifted teacher and writer. Even though I sit with 26 years experience in teaching, I learned so much from you about enhancing student relationships and some top notch teaching strategies that I was excited to implement. You are a treasure, and a gift to education my dear friend. I am so proud of you and inspired by you!

Love ya! Ann-Marie