ORONO – The Maine Writing Project is accepting nominations of exemplary teachers for its sixth annual Summer Institute, scheduled for June 24-July 19 at the University of Maine.

Participants – K-12 through higher education teachers in all curriculum areas – are selected on the basis of their success as educators and for their promise as instructional leaders. Interested educators may be nominated by a colleague, administrator or through self-nomination.

The deadline for nominations is March 15.

The competitive program is providing a force of highly trained writing instructors for Maine students and other teachers. After successfully completing the program, the educators are distinguished as fellows of both the Maine Writing Project and the National Writing Project.

The national project and its state affiliates comprise a grass-roots teaching initiative dedicated to the improvement of student writing and the teaching of writing across the curriculum in all grade levels.

During the institute, the approximately 25 participants write extensively, read, research and work closely with institute colleagues, Maine writers and widely recognized authorities on teaching and writing. Participants earn six graduate credits for the 14 sessions, plus a stipend.

The Maine Writing Project was established in 1997 by the UMaine College of Education and Human Development. For information and nomination forms, contact Theresa McManus at 581-2438; or e-mail theresa.mcmanus@umit.maine.edu.