This document contains the responses I collected Friday afternoon when I asked each of you to share, in a single sentence, what this Summer Institute has meant to you. I created my own piece using your words (Borrowed Voices), but I couldn’t help wondering how each of you would have approached the same task.
So here’s the challenge: Take these beautiful responses and create something equally beautiful.
Words from Fellows (collected on Friday, 6/26 – years of experience follow name)
Fortunately, twenty four talented teachers and writers found the time and space to learn from each other. (C. Hill, 36)
I have found my people. (A. Fruit, 12)
Oh, how wonderful it is to know so many writers whose brilliant ideas I will steal in spring, indeed. (M. During, 7)
My heart has been ripped wide open – my thoughts, fears, joys, pleasures and pains – in the Book of My Life. (A. Sterba, 19)
The scariest things ever endeavored have led to the most abundant growth and fullest joy. (H. Link, 2.5)
Nothing rekindles my fire for teaching, learning, writing, and advocacy quite like being surrounded by the people, my fellows, who are pushing our field forward—the innovators, the disruptors, the game-changers, and the paradigm shifters who remind me why this work matters. (S.Young, 17)
OWP has filled my cup so thoroughly. I am so excited to use everything I’ve learned by all of my fellow educators. This has been such a transformative process for my writing and teaching. (Marissa, 4.5)
I have never been in a space that allows for this amount of vulnerability in an atmosphere of radical encouragement. (S. Greenwood, 6)
OWP makes me want to be a better teacher because of all of the vibrant creativity and safe experience shared generously each day. (anonymous, 24)
Not enough books, nor enough time. Get in ladies. We’re doin’ fine. (M. Chandler, 5)
OWP is the Hogwarts of teacher professional development. We walk in the door and, from the first day, we are enveloped in a collaborative community of educators, writers, artists, actors, speakers, and more. I am always a better teacher (and human being!) after spending time at the summer institute. (M. Boyd-Waters, 15)
The feeling of being in a room, surrounded, full of people who care about education, students and humanity just as much as I do is as close to nirvana as I will ever get. (J. Macchiaverna, 5.5)
Joy is the word that comes to mind when I think about my new friends from OWP. Thank you. (M. Biffle, 8)
I’ve made so many good friends. (A. Wilkins, 7)
Three weeks, almost a month, seems like a long time. During these three weeks, I have grown as a teacher, a writer, and a friend. (B. Baker, 15)
OWP SI has been a life changing experience as a fellow and a coach. (J. Lentz, 9)
Each day I depart sated, having gorged on plentiful feasts! (K. Jennings, 9)
OWP has been invigorating! My fire is fueled. (J. Sanders, 13)
Cracked out on caffeine and good writing, I have thoroughly enjoyed my unforgettable experience alongside my beautiful, enthusiastic teacher friends who have also been traumatized by the fast-paced timeline that pushed my limits to the edge. (R. Ortegon, 2)
Summer Institute is always a ton of work – no matter what “side” you are on, but it is so worth it, and I am in my element with my peeps doing what I absolutely love. (L. Smith, 17)
Summer Institute is always an intense, exhausting experience each time I return, but it fills my cup and feeds my soul to be with likeminded teachers and writers – members of my tribe. (A. Lacy-Scott, 19)
First true feeling: humbled.”I FELT INSTANTLY EMBRACED” This enchanting 2026 OWP Summer Institute group are Writing Wizards, I am honored to be in their presence and can only hope to attain/gain some of their magic..I feel energized, inspired and confident that with continued growth, I hope to evolve into an impactful OWP consultant as it will be my honor and pleasure to serve and encourage other teachers and empower my theatrical students to be better writers..I have been given “gifts of knowledge” that have sharpened the way to truly “see” my students (especially my ELL’s, IEP’s and hearing impaired)- I have felt lost at times with these groups of students before this institute.I have been given a taste of what it is like to have a superpower; bravery. I can be bolder and braver in my writing instructions.The spellbinding vulnerable poems and stories, the heartwarming and heartbreaking quick-write responses, the breathtaking and exciting author chair readings have been so enlightening (to me) that their (these teachers/professors) brilliance could light up Norman for a week. I feel so lucky to have been with this group-Who picked all of us, anyway?????? (C. Breedlove, 5)
“AHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
What a beautiful idea and stellar execution. I would love to have these all cut up into strips and we arrange and arrange and arrange with all the potential, but I’m not sure we could do a better job than you did here, Stephanie. WOW. Thank you for making our community feeling something physical on paper. Shared memories, indeed.