I attended Summer Institute at the University of Mississippi in 1994.  At that time, I had been teaching for 18 years.  My experience was teaching in a small, rural school where there was only one other English teacher.  Although she and I had a very good professional relationship, we both realized that we were limited in what we knew about the teaching of writing.  In the Writing Project, I found the support and professional development that I needed to sustain myself in the profession.  From statistics published by NWP, I understand that my experience was not unique.  Ninety-eight percent of the teachers who are trained in NWP principles and pedagogy remain teachers for life.  Although I was an "experienced" teacher by the time I attended Summer Institute, my classroom and I were completely transformed by the writing project.  I never felt frustration about state-mandated testing after my summer experience because I knew that I and my students would be able to handle whatever tests came along. Now, I am serving as the Coordinator of Professional Development for the University of Mississippi Writing Project.  In this capacity, I have the opportunity to impact the teachers and students in 19 counties by helping to bring gold-standard professional development to them. More than 20,000 students in Mississippi have been taught by teachers who have attended University of Mississippi Summer Institute. Many more have been taught by teachers who were trained through workshops presented by UMWP.  As more teachers are trained, more and more students are receiving the benefits of the expertise of the Writing Project. These teachers and students need the support of NWP as a network of teachers and learners.  NWP works!   Sandra Hamilton NBPTS English/Language Arts Board Certified Teacher (retired) Currently, Coordinator of Professional Development for the University of Mississippi Writing Project sfhamilt@olemiss.edu