Since 1995, PEN In The Classroom (PITC) has proudly published the written work of thousands of talented youth and adults. PITC sends professional writers into classrooms to teach creative writing residencies, in which students learn about contemporary authors and different literary genres and develop a body of creative writing work. The resulting PITC anthologies are windows into students’ lives—their struggles, hopes, and the collective experiences of their generation. PITC is part of PEN Center USA’s mission to stimulate and maintain interest in the written word, to foster a vital literary culture, and to defend freedom of expression.

For more info, please contact the Program Manager, Heather Simons, at heather@penusa.org.

The application period for PITC 2011 - 2012 is now open. The application is available for download:

If you are a writer who would like to apply to teach a PITC academic or community residency, please download the application and contact Program Manager Heather Simons. Please carefully read all sections of the program page before applying.

 

After receiving a request for a PITC academic writing residency, the PITC program manager begins the process of coordinating a residency for the fall or spring semester of the upcoming academic year. PITC academic writing residency instructors are selected from PEN’s diverse membership to best match the needs of the school where they will teach.  (Or, alternatively, an interested writer applies to become a PITC academic instructor and subsequently becomes a PEN member. All PITC instructors must also be PEN members.)

In preparation for a planned PITC academic writing residency, PITC instructors and host teachers attend a mandatory orientation session at the PEN office. Then, working with the host teacher, the PITC instructor develops a tailored curriculum of weekly workshops focused on a particular genre. A PITC academic writing residency is comprised of twelve in-class writing workshops, the publication of a student anthology, and a final public reading. Throughout the semester, the PITC program manager makes three visits to each classroom and communicates with all PITC instructors and host teachers on a weekly basis.

See a list of schools where PITC Academic Writing Residencies have taken place.

If you would like to apply to become a PITC host teacher, or if you would like a PITC residency to take place at your school, please contact Program Manager Heather Simons for more information.

A PITC community writing residency is a generative writing workshop that takes place in a community center such as a nonprofit organization, shelter, or reservation. PITC community instructors are selected from PEN’s diverse membership to best match the needs of the community where they will teach. (Or, alternatively, an interested writer applies to become a PITC community instructor and subsequently becomes a PEN member. All PITC instructors must also be PEN members.)

In preparation for a PITC community writing residency, PITC instructors and community leaders attend a mandatory orientation session at the PEN office. Then, working with the community leader, the PITC instructor develops a curriculum with the goal of helping the students complete a solid body of creative writing work. A PITC community writing residency is comprised of twelve in-class writing workshops, the publication of a student anthology, and a final public reading. Throughout the semester, the PITC program manager makes three visits to each community center and communicates with all PITC instructors and community leaders on a weekly basis.

If you would like to host a PITC community writing residency in your community, please contact Program Manager Heather Simons for more information.

Curriculum

Timeline