Writers in Residence

Bringing Literary Expression to Life

PEN/Faulkner’s Writers in Residence program serves the dual purpose of supporting professional writers and providing a rich, creative experience for DC students. Our resident writers develop a meaningful relationship with a DC classroom, building their capacity as teaching artists and earning support for their work as artists. Educators who participate in the program also develop professionally from their collaborations with resident writers. Students, meanwhile, get access to an intensive literary experience, including collaboration and writing workshops with the resident writer.

How It Works

As part of a classroom residency, our writing instructors collaborate closely with educators to guide students through the creative writing process: understanding elements of craft, sentence-level development, revision and editing, and developing resiliency to writing’s challenges. Residencies often integrate themes of social justice into the curriculum, so students not only improve as writers but create pieces that are personally meaningful to their lives and interests. Educators and students will build a genuine relationship with an expert writer over the course of the project. Each residency culminates in a final student project of their own design.

Who Can Participate?

During the 2024-2025 school year, we have partnered with the Center City Public Charter School – Brightwood Campus, Capital City Public Charter School, Brightwood Elementary School and Barnard Elementary School to establish residencies for three writers: Madelyn Kye, Ofelia Montelongo, and Meg Eden Kuyatt.

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For Educators

If you’re a DC educator interested in working with Writers in Residence, or have questions about our programming please contact us at education@penfaulkner.org.

“Today was nothing short of amazing. The students were so knowledgeable about the world around them and so willing to engage with me and my work. I’ve done so many school visits and these were the best I’ve done so far. Thank you, thank you for the important work you are doing to push literacy in DC schools and for giving me the chance to be part of this organization. I am still in awe.” 
Jamar J. Perry

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