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Celebrating You

Write together. Teach together. Learn together.

Welcome to the 826 Digital community. Discover resources and inspiration from educators like you who are passionate about writing education and award-winning authors in our community.

Community In Action

Lessons from Educator Leaders

Our Community of Authors

Grades 2–12
Videos
Hear Me Out with Javier Zamora
by Javier Zamora, 826 Valencia alumni and New York Times bestselling author

Author Javier Zamora was an undocumented immigrant when he was a student. Now, he invites you to raise your voice and write to the next President of the United States.

Memoir
Narrative
Persuasive
Poetry

Students will learn how to craft a message for an intended audience — in this case, the next leader of the United States.

Grades 9–12
Videos
For Every One
by Jason Reynolds

Part letter, part long-form poem, "For Every One" offers reflections and courageous words about unraveling and rebuilding one's dreams.

Memoir
Narrative

First, find a cozy spot that is free of noise and distractions, if possible. Then, watch Jason Reynolds read his poem, “For Every One.”

Grades 3–12
Videos
Book Scavenger Hunt Poetry with Amanda Gorman
by Amanda Gorman

Amanda Gorman is the Presidential Inaugural Poet, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, as well as an award-winning writer and cum laude graduate of Harvard University

Poetry

Your students will learn a new technique to spark creativity when writing poems.

Grades 7–9
Sparks
The Power of Observation
by Dave Eggers

Through a series of short drawing activities, students will explore the ways observable details can have a major impact on their writing.

Informational

Start with the head of a stuffed crocodile. Or something like that. 826 Valencia is next to a store that sells taxidermied animals, so we usually go over and borrow one of their crocodile heads.

Get Involved

You’re already part of the 826 Digital Community. Ready for more? Join the 826 Digital Educator Leaders! We welcome every educator who is passionate about moving the field of writing education forward to apply.

YOUR ROLE

As an 826 Digital Educator Leader, you will have the opportunity to:

Lead with Your Voice
Engage in a community of practice and share questions, ideas, challenges, and resources with educators across the country.
Lead with Writing
Celebrate student voices by tapping into ample publishing opportunities from 826—or get inspired to create your own publishing project. Amplify and share the work and resources of 826 to your local networks and staff.
Lead with Your Ideas
Contribute your perspective and ideas to a growing professional learning community, and to the future of 826 Digital.
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THE COMMITMENT

How do you want to lead? We believe that leadership comes in many forms, and we aim to make space for participating members to choose how they'd like contribute to the community. In addition to centering members' vision for leadership, we ask that all 826 Digital Educator Leaders:

Engage with their peers during 3-4 826 Digital Educator meetings
Share a favorite writing prompt or lesson on 826 Digital
Amplify 826 opportunities with students, families, and colleagues in their communities

THE EXTRAS

We honor your work and your commitment to 826, to learning, and to your students. When you join the 826 Digital Educator Leaders group, you will:

Wear it with pride
Get the official 826 Digital Educator Badge along with other 826 swag.
Fill your bookshelf
Receive free copies of 826 Network student publications!
Be in the know
Get early access to 826 Digital resources, tools, and professional development opportunities.

To Apply

We are currently accepting applications to join the 2023-2024 cohort! Applications will be open through August 2023. To apply, tell us a bit about yourself and submit an original writing lesson or prompt.

apply now

Already a member? Submit a lesson

from our educator leaders

“Working with other educators stretches my thinking and this is when my students find ultimate success.
- Lindsay T.
TEACHER AT FORT OSAGE SCHOOL, INDEPENDENCE, MO
“Empowering students with an outlet for writing like this one would be a game changer. My students have stories. Their lives are rich with experiences that sometimes only become real when they have been shared. I want to use 826 to amplify the movement for justice, creativity, and writing for kids.
- Kathy S.
TEACHER AT ROBBINSDALE AREA SCHOOLS, NEW HOPE, MN
“I use 826 Digital in my classroom all the time! I love the lessons and prompts that incorporate SEL and use them to build relationships with my students.
- Mallory M.
TEACHER AT ALLEGAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ALLEGAN, MI