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.

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“The author really heard their ideas and made them feel like their thoughts and contributions mattered. Some of my students now want to become authors themselves.”

–Ambar M., DC Bilingual PCS

“What stood out most was how the book had prompted students to look at their own lives through a different lens. It was an eye-opening experience for many of the students, and they left the classroom with a deeper appreciation for how literature could bring their personal stories to light.”

– Wesley R., Barnard Elementary School

“Writers in Residence completely changes students’ relationship to the learning space they’re in. [The program] really stretches their writing. Not just their creative writing, but it helps all their writing improve.”

–Topher K., Capital City PCS

Your Support Matters

Your support makes our programs possible. Please consider a contribution. Thank you.

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