Fall 2026
Teach GWN
In this Journey, members of the GWN community will develop curriculum and facilitate a Community Studio for one or more cycles within GWN’s Collaboratory structure. Each cycle involves facilitating three Community Studios, one per month. Mentees and mentors will gain valuable skills in leadership, teaching, and community building. Mentees and mentors can facilitate a Community Studio either independently (if they are 18 or older) or together as a pair. Through the experience, mentees will build confidence as leaders and educators, while mentors will develop their teaching and facilitation skills, learn effective educational practices, and help cultivate a vibrant, peer-driven learning community.
Ready to Apply?
Learn more below or get started now. If you do not already have a Girls Write Now Portal account, you will be asked to create one in order to apply.
Apply Now
Ready to Apply?
Learn more below or get started now. If you do not already have a Girls Write Now Portal account, you will be asked to create one in order to apply.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and each of our Journeys can accommodate a limited number of mentees and mentors. Apply early to secure your spot in the Journey of your choice!
- JOURNEY REQUIREMENTS
- Cycle(s) 1 Cycle (3 months, Nov 1 – Jan 31)
- Time Commitment a minimum of 3 hours per month
- Engagement Dates Attend Orientation Session & Facilitator Meet Up (see dates below).
- Mentoring Have at least 2 Pair Sessions per month
- Journey Project Design and facilitate monthly community studio lesson plan
Learning Objectives
Teach GWN Community Experiences
Mentees and mentors in the Teach GWN Journey are required to teach three community studios per cycle, attend one training session and one facilitator meetup session. Additionally, participants are asked to attend one community studios led by their fellow facilitators. The weekday, time, and exact dates for your facilitated studio sessions will be determined based on your schedule before the journey begins. Please see below for the live virtual meeting dates for Teaching GWN’s Fall 2026 cycle.
Fall Cycle:
- November Studio Weeks: 11/9 – 11/20
- December Studio Weeks: 12/7 – 12/18
- January (2027) Studio Weeks: 1/11 – 1/25
- Facilitator Meetup: 1/5, 7pm ET
Teach GWN Courses
Teach GWN: Facilitating Community Studios
This course provides training in the techniques and best practices for leading and managing community studio sessions. It focuses on creating engaging and productive environments that support learning and collaboration among participants..
GWN Toolkit: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging
This course equips participants with essential strategies and tools to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment. Through interactive content and practical exercises, learners will develop skills to enhance diversity and promote a sense of belonging within their communities.
GWN Toolkit: Mentoring Best Practices
This course provides participants with effective strategies and techniques for successful mentoring relationships. It covers key practices for guiding, supporting, and empowering mentees to achieve their goals and thrive in their personal and professional development.
Teach GWN Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in the Teach GWN Journey will be paired for at least one cycle. Each pair will meet for a minimum of two hour-long sessions per month. Mentees will either develop curriculum for their community studio with guidance from their mentors or collaborate with their mentors to develop and facilitate a community studio together. This journey is open to mentor/mentee pairs, peer-to-peer pairs, and members who have been mentees or mentors in the past.
Journey Teaching Artist
What Past Participants Have to Say
Teach 360
All Journeys within the Teach 360 Adventure focus on leadership to help mentees and mentors develop leadership skills and be inspired to create a better future together. Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.
Teach GWN is a Journey in the Teach 360 Adventure.
Explore All Journeys
Explore All Journeys
Everything Is a Story: Nonfiction that Reads like Fiction (Fall 2026)
In this Journey, mentees and mentors will explore the ways in which creative storytelling techniques can be applied to nonfiction writing of all kinds, from memoir and personal essay to op-ed and how-to articles. We will dive into what makes a story—from structural archetypes to writing that flows—and learn how to harness the power of story to make nonfiction compelling and transformative.
Wild Ideas: Nature, Science & Creativity (Fall 2026)
Created in honor of Helen Ghiradella’s pioneering work at the intersection of science and creativity, this Journey invites mentees and mentors to explore the natural world through the complementary lenses of scientific inquiry and artistic expression. Inspired by Ghiradella’s legacy, and through close observation, research, and reflection, they will investigate the forms, patterns, and processes found in nature while creating an original project—through writing, visual art, media, performance, music or another creative form—that celebrates the connections between nature, science, and creativity.
Hooked on Fiction: Story Structures for Plotters, Pantsers, & Plantsers (Fall 2026)
In this Journey, we’ll tackle one of the most daunting parts of novel writing: the opening chapter. Participants will explore how to hook readers while establishing character, setting, and stakes—asking big questions like where to begin and how to share key details without overload.
Building Buzz: Publicity in the Publishing Industry (Fall 2026)
This Journey explores how social media—especially TikTok’s BookTok community—has transformed the publishing industry.
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Fall 2026)
In this Journey, mentors and mentees will explore the power of comedy as a tool for social change, with a special focus on stand-up comedy. From climate change and economic inequality to LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and mental health, participants will learn how to write and perform material that blends humor with meaningful social critique.
Civil Discourse: Connection & Persuasion (Fall 2026)
In this Journey, mentors and mentees will develop essential skills in public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking. Through engaging activities and interactive discussions, participants will learn to craft persuasive speeches, construct well-reasoned arguments, and present their ideas with confidence.
Independent Study (Fall 2026)
Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Mentors and mentees meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to help plan creative projects and meet your goals.
Lead Community Change (Fall 2026)
Lead Community Change is a dynamic two-cycle Journey that harnesses the transformative power of storytelling to drive social impact. Aspiring young leaders and activists will unleash their creativity to develop and implement innovative community-based social activism projects, supported by Girls Write Now’s rich storytelling resources.
Dark Tales: A Horror Book Club (Fall 2026)
Step into the shadows of horror and explore what makes a story truly unsettling. Through three monthly book club meetings, participants will engage in close readings and lively discussions of selected horror works, examining how authors build suspense, create atmosphere, evoke fear, and use the genre to explore deeper social, psychological, and cultural themes. Together, we will analyze storytelling techniques, character development, and the many forms horror can take. By the end of the fall, you will have deepened your appreciation of the genre, sharpened your critical reading skills, and gathered inspiration and craft techniques to enrich your own writing.
Explore Tour (Fall 2026)
Explore all of the creative and storytelling pathways Girls Write Now has to offer through a multimedia, multi-genre experience that includes mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-to-one pair sessions.
