$277,200 Write for Texas Grant Awarded to TAMIU, Professor

A two-year grant totaling $277,200 has been awarded to Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and associate professor Dr. Bernice Sanchez by the Write for Texas Agency, a partnership of the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, the Texas Education Agency, and the Institute for Public School Initiatives (IPSI). 

This Write for Texas Grant at TAMIU is designated as a resource support base for administrators and classroom teachers for the improvement of writing instruction at the secondary level. It provides Professional Development Sessions, online resources, teacher consultants, graduate tuition scholarships in the area of literacy, and mentorship opportunities for secondary English Language Arts/Reading, and content area teachers to support effective writing instruction.

Dr. Sanchez, director and coordinator of the grant, said it helps teachers provide better opportunities for students to succeed with primary goals.

“It is designed to help all teachers across content areas provide opportunities for students to read, write, and discuss a wide variety of genres while actively engaged in critical thinking tasks.  The primary goals are to provide resources and support for teachers across the State of Texas for the improvement of writing instruction, and for students to be able to communicate effectively and think critically through writing across genres,” Dr. Sanchez explained.

TAMIU Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Catheryn Weitman, said the grant provides multiple pathways to enhance writing opportunities for secondary educators. 

“This grant is visionary as it embraces a series of venues to help us help teachers succeed as catalysts in the improvement of critical thinking, communication and writing by students. The various ways educators are able to engage in this grant will yield remarkable benefits and we applaud Dr. Sanchez for her initiative in securing it,” Dr. Weitman said.

For additional information, contact Dr. Sanchez at the College of Education at 956.326.2670 or email bsanchez@tamiu.edu.

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