Central Utah Writing Project

Utah teachers writing and learning together since 2009

Welcome to the Central Utah Writing Project! We’re glad you’re here.

CUWP is a community of teachers who are passionate about writing, teaching, and learning. We are affiliated with the National Writing Project, a network of more than 200 sites committed to promoting the teaching of writing at all levels and across all disciplines.

Our mission is to engage teachers and students across Utah in investigating and practicing effective writing habits and strategies. We believe that writing is a powerful tool for communication, expression, inquiry, and human connection. We also believe that teachers are the best teachers of teachers, and that by sharing their expertise, experiences, and resources, we create a supportive community of writers and learners.

Please explore our website to learn more about us and what we do. If you are interested in participating with our community, please contact us at cuwp@byu.edu. We would love to hear from you!

Upcoming Events

CUWP Fragile Freedoms 2027 Flyer

Fragile Freedoms Institute 2027

March 25-26, 2027

BYU Provo Campus with a field trip to the Topaz Site and Museum in Delta, UT on day 2

Invitational Summer Institute 2027

April 15, 2027

May 8, 2027

June 14-30, 2027

September 2027 date TBD

 

BYU Provo Campus

Join 30 Utah educators (grades 4-12) to a free two-day institute exploring Japanese American incarceration and civil liberties through storytelling, art, poetry, and primary sources. Meals, transportation, and a $200 stipend will be included for accepted participants.

Applications are being considered until January 4, 2027.

All K-12 and university teachers in Utah are welcome to join us for our annual Invitational Summer Institute where we write together, discuss and learn about writing pedagogy, and produce a portfolio of teaching and writing. Earn 6.0 graduate credits for only $300! 

Applications are being considered until January 31, 2027.

Apply Here
Apply Here

What We Offer

Five women stand smiling in front of beige lockers. They wear striped shirts in various colors and casual pants. One holds a water bottle, and another has a lanyard and badge. They appear happy and relaxed.

Summer Institute

A three-week intensive workshop where teachers engage in community with each other to investigate and reflect on their instructional methods, prepare and deliver presentations, and work in writing groups toward personal and professional publication.

Two women seated in a crowded lecture hall chat and smile at each other, holding papers and a pen. Other attendees sit behind them, some engaged in conversation, in a bright, informal setting.

Professional Learning for Teachers

Customized workshops and consultations by CUWP teacher leaders for schools and districts that want to enhance their writing instruction and assessment.

A woman sitting in a crowded lecture hall holds her head in one hand and looks down at her notes. Other people around her are also focused on papers or writing.

Teaching Resources

A collection of materials to support educators as they hone their craft. This is a collection of both resources we find helps, as well as resources produced by former fellows of the Summer Institute.

Learn More
Learn More
Learn More

Learn More About CUWP

Publications from Fellows

Check out our CUWP Fellows Write page for a comprehensive list of publications by CUWP Fellows since 2009.

A person sits barefoot on sandy ground with jeans, holding a notebook and pen, writing or drawing. A pair of black boots is placed on the sand beside them.

Poetry on the Beach: Localizing Literary Value

By Whitney Sorensen (CUWP ’19)
Published 2023 The English Journal

Close-up of hands typing on a laptop keyboard with a blurred sunset visible in the background through a window.

NWP Voices: Writing Muscle

By Pat Martinez (CUWP ’17)
Published 2023 The English Journal

Teen girl with pink hair wearing blue headphones and a pink hoodie sits on a bed, writing in a notebook while looking at a laptop. Books are open around her, and sunlight streams in through a window.

Voices with Power: Writing to Effect Change in 8th Grade

By Emily Brown (CUWP ’23)
Published 2023 Utah English Journal

Read Article
Read Article
Read Article

Testimonials from Fellows

Four women sit in chairs, engaged in discussion in a classroom. One woman gestures with her hand while holding a notebook. A whiteboard with writing is visible in the background.
Two women sit at a table in a classroom, engaged in conversation and looking at papers. Other people are seated nearby, and supplies like water bottles, notebooks, and bags are on the table. A painting hangs on the wall in the background.
Two women sit at a table, looking at a laptop together. One wears a blue striped shirt and speaks, while the other listens attentively. A blue water bottle and bag are on the table in a bright, modern room.
Several people sit around tables in a classroom, engaged in group discussion and working with papers, notebooks, and pens. The atmosphere appears collaborative and focused. Supplies and drinks are scattered on the tables.

With gratitude, CUWP recognizes the contributions of Emily Brown (CUWP ’20) and Megan Wight (CUWP ’21) for their assistance in conducting research and developing website content, Joseph Wiederhold (CUWP ’12) for video production, and the BYU College of Humanities Office of Digital Media and Communications, particularly student developers Lexi Jorgensen (BYU ’23) and Camille Plasencia (BYU ’23), for their design and development work in building this website. We acknowledge Brett Hilton (BYU ’23) for designing our updated logo and brand identity.