Staff

Dr. Rebecca A. Kaminski: Director

I find my energy to teach from working with the outstanding teachers associated with the Upstate Writing Project and their students. I firmly believe in the NWP philosophy of teachers teaching teachers as the most efficient means of improving writing in our schools.

Rebecca has served as the director of the Upstate Writing Project at Clemson University since it began in 2001. She teaches undergrad and graduate courses relating to writing and literacy for the elementary education program and also provides consulting services to many upstate schools in the areas of writing instruction and assessment, and childrenís literature. She works with the National Writing Project on various projects including the Technology Liaisons Network Leadership Team, New Site Mentors, CFA Annual Review, and New Site Leaders Initiative. Rebecca serves as past President for SCCTE. As a member of the SC Writing Improvement Network Advisory Board and Coordinating Council, she works with the Exemplary Writing Program.

Dawn Hawkins: Co-Director, Inservice Coordinator

Going into schools to work with teachers motivates and inspires me. My passion is fueled by sharing writing strategies with others as well as getting great ideas.

I am currently an Instructional Coach at Duncan Chapel Elementary. I adore writing and teaching writing. This love grew from the Upstate Writing Project. I became a part of the project in the summer of 2003 as a TC. Now I am very honored to be on staff sharing the good news about writing with other teachers through in-service projects. The writing project has inspired me and I know it will inspire you!

Rachel Sanders: Youth Writing Camps Coordinator

I graduated from Florida State University in 2006 with a BS in Apparel Design and Technology. I moved to New York City to work in Public Relations. After three years, I decided I needed to make a career change. I have always had an interest in teaching and decided to finally pursue it. I moved back to South Carolina in 2010 to begin the MAT program at Clemson University. I graduated from Clemson in 2012 with a concentration in Language Arts and Social Studies. I am currently the seventh grade writing teacher at Southwood Academy of the Arts in Anderson School District Five.

Inga Puffer

The Upstate Writing Project empowers me as a teacher as I collaborate with passionate colleagues.  I have been teaching Language Arts to middle school students at Tanglewood Middle for the past 6 years. In 2008, I completed the UWP Summer Institute, and have continued to work with and learn from UWP in the areas of technology and content area literacy. Engaging in the writing process has shaped me as a teacher and has given me the tools to encourage students to share their voices. As G@ming Camp Director, I am excited to use the writing process to guide students through the process of creating video games. I can't wait to see what amazing creations campers come up with this summer.

Jason Kaminski: Technology Liaison

In spite of a varied career involving technology and business, Jason has found a interest in the teaching of writing through technology.  Now very involved with the Upstate Writing Project and the National Writing Project, Jason shares his passion for teaching with technology through Tech Thursdays , our technology based Professional Development sessions, a state wide tech lesson development grant, the National Writing Project's Tech Liaison Network, and technology based Inservice. Jason is also the director of UWP's Young Writers' Tech Camp, a camp focused on inspiring an interest in writing through the use of technology.

Leigh Unterspan: Public Relations: Online Liaison

Leigh teaches eleventh grade English at Travelers Rest High School. She completed the Summer Institute in 2010 and found her teaching and love for writing energized by her UWP colleagues.  She is inspired by the Upstate Writing Project's commitment to the professional growth of teachers.

Natalie Dather: Fresh Start

Natalie joined the Upstate Writing Project as a scholar of the 2006 Summer Institute and went on to earn her Master's Degree through Clemson University.  Since then, Natalie has served as a Teacher Consultant working with teachers at the district, state, as well as the national level.  She also co-directs Fresh Start, a new teacher initiative that aims to help teachers with 0-3 years of experience integrate writing strategies within their classrooms.  Do you know a teacher with 0-3 years of experience who would enjoy learning more about Writer's Workshop as well as the traits of writing?  If so, contact us today!

Sarah Hunt-Barron: LSRI Graduate Assistant

After a varied career in both consulting work and higher education, Sarah found her calling and became a middle school ELA teacher. She taught 7th grade ELA at Berea Middle School in Greenville. Sarah participated in the 2008 Summer Institute and loves her work as a Teacher Consultant with the UWP. She is currently a doctoral student at Clemson and the graduate assistant for the writing project.

: Graduate Assistant