About the OK Writing Project
An affiliate of the National Writing Project (www.nwp.org), the Oklahoma Writing Project has provided the best in professional development for tens of thousands of teachers from all corners of Oklahoma for over forty years. "Writing in its many forms is the signature means of communication in the 21st century" (vision statement from the National Writing Project). Oklahoma Writing Project works to help teachers become better writers and better teachers of writing. Oklahoma Writing Project works to improve writing, thinking, and creativity for all learners.
Lawrence Baines
Co-director of the Oklahoma Writing Project, lbaines@ou.edu Bio: Lawrence Baines is an Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at The University of Oklahoma, where he has worked for the past ten years. Before he became Associate Dean in 2012, Baines served as the Chair of Department of Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum at OU for three years. Baines has years of administrative experience in higher education, mostly at public, doctoral-level institutions in the United States. Baines has written 12 books, 100+ articles/chapters, held two endowed chairs, and helped obtain over twenty-two million dollars in external funding. Baines is past president of The Georgia Council of Teachers of English and the Oklahoma Council of Teachers of English. He holds a Ph.D. in English Education from The University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree in Business Computer Information Systems from The University of North Texas. Previously, Baines directed the North Florida Writing Project at The Florida State University. |
Audra Plummer
Co-director of the Oklahoma Writing Project, owpcodirector@yahoo.com Bio: Audra Plummer has completed over 20 years in education and working with Oklahoma students. Throughout her career she has taught first, second, fourth and fifth grades. She received her master’s degree in Academic Curriculum and Instructional Leadership with an emphasis in Mathematics from the University of Oklahoma. She received National Board Certification in Middle Childhood Generalist in 2004. She accumulated numerous honors throughout her teaching career. She was recognized as a Norman Public School Teacher of the Year Top Five Finalist after her third year of teacher as well as being award the Outstanding Teacher Award sponsored by Lakeshore Learning. Audra has been a finalist for the National “I Teach 2nd” Second Grade Teacher of the Year and received the University of Oklahoma College of Education “Young Educator” Award in 2004. Audra has written grants to fund over $10,000 work of manipulatives, books and computer software for her students. In 2018, Goodnight Norman, a children’s book she co-authored, was published with all proceeds benefiting students in Norman Public Schools. Throughout her years of teaching, Audra has acquired over one thousand hours of professional development. She began making professional presentations in 1994 and since that time has presented all over Oklahoma to over 2,500 fellow educators. Audra attended the Oklahoma Writing Project in 1999. Her leadership role in OWP began with being a member of the OKWP Board and has expanded to serving on various committees. She has served as an OKWP Summer Institute mentor for three years. In 2009, Audra began serving at the OKWP Co-Director of Inservice and works to provide quality professional development opportunities to Oklahoma teachers. |
Melissa Wicker
Graduate Assistant and OKWP Teacher-Leader mrule@ou.edu Bio: Melissa taught 6th through 8th grade English/Language arts for eight years in Maryland, Oklahoma City, and Norman before she became a graduate assistant with the Oklahoma Writing Project in the fall of 2016. Melissa is pursuing her doctorate in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum. Her decision to pursue a doctoral degree was inspired, in part, by her participation in the 2015 Summer Institute. The focus of her dissertation is the literacy of Native American adolescents. She anticipates graduating in May 2020. When not working, writing, and studying, Melissa enjoys reading and watching movies and documentaries. |