Three U.S. writing project teachers from Louisiana, Missouri, and North Dakota reflect on their experiences with the National Writing Project’s writing marathon and discuss their collaboration to design, implement, and study a virtual writing marathon during the coronavirus pandemic. Interspersed with teachers’ writing from the marathon, the piece explains the features of the design and ends with four primary conclusions: 1) Writing should be at the center of our pedagogy, 2) A writing marathon can and should be adapted for online spaces, 3) Virtual writing marathons have lasting value, and 4) The success of the Virtual Writing Marathon rests on National Writing Project infrastructure and culture.

This empirical study of a virtual writing marathon (Write Across America) theorizes a dynamic online ecosystem in which the five realms—virtual place, design, writing, sharing, and emotion—interact in the process of writing. The study has implications for students and for the professional development of writing instructors.

Beginning with the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the author, his students, fellow teachers, and Southeastern Louisiana, the article focuses on lessons learned about writing and teaching through the experience. The article tells the story of Katrina: In Their Own Words, an anthology of storm stories by local students and teachers that the author edited, and what he learned from this experience about the limits of academic writing and the value of voice. The final section focuses on a risky English 101 assignment on writing music that grew out of the storm, how this assignment led to a radio program and anthology, and what this assignment taught him about seizing the "teaching moment."

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Sabbatical leaves are designed to give the faculty member time forfurther professional development through research, private study, travel, writing, etc. Sabbatical leaves may not be usedfor work toward an advanced degree. The sabbatical leave is a privilege, awarded through competitive peer-reviewprocess.... The primary criteria are the probable value of the sabbatical leave experience in increasing the professional competence of the faculty member and its value to the academic programs in which the applicant participates. -Faculty Handbook, The Citadel

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