The Community Teaching Project creates opportunities for diverse residents of Oakland and surrounding communities to tell their stories, write poetry or prose, and experience their own creativity. The program launched in 2003 with the work of Anna Mantzaris (MFA 2004), the support of Professor Elmaz Abinader, and a grant from the Irvine Foundation.

Every spring, Mills students teach at various venues, including after-school programs, elder homes, community centers, half-way houses, lock-down facilities, and battered-women’s shelters. Community Teaching Project instructors develop their own lesson plans with the guidance of experienced faculty and sensitivity to the specific needs of their students. As volunteers, instructors simultaneously gain teaching experience and contribute their skills and passion to underserved communities.

The teaching season culminates with an anthology of writings generated in Community Teaching Project workshops.

If you are interested in taking a community workshop, or having a Mills graduate student volunteer teach at your organization, please contact The Place for Writers at 510.430.2236.