to empower teachers of writing in northern Idaho and eastern Washington. To accomplish this, the NIWP recruits experienced teachers to attend the annual Summer Institute, preparing them to become better writers and better teachers of writing. The NIWP is modeled on the Bay Area Writing Project of the University of California, Berkeley. The National Writing Project now has over 150 projects found in almost every state.

NIWP is an approved No Child Left Behind provider.

NIWP is composed of two major parts: the summer institute and academic year programs. The Summer Institute consists of four weeks of camaraderie, exploration, and research and offers educators through workshops, visiting authors, and the great knowledge participants themselves bring to the course the learning experience of a lifetime. Although participants write, read, and discuss extensively, what they remember most vividly is the exhilaration of achievement and the joy of newly made friendships. The NIWP offers a network of highly dedicated professionals and many leadership possibilities. Elementary, secondary, and college teachers of any subject are encouraged to apply.