Our Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

As a precaution to help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and care for our community, Just Buffalo Literary Center has postponed a number of events, and we will follow the guidance of Buffalo Public Schools in terms of Just Buffalo Writing Center programming.

Learn More

JBWC Creative Writing Programs for Teachers

The Just Buffalo Writing Center offers seminars and classes for teachers to deepen their own creativity, engage with colleagues to feel fully supported, and grow as writers to renew their sense of fulfillment.
Teacher Workshops
Professional Development

Teachers ARE Writers: Upcoming Workshops

Teachers ARE Writers is a writing workshop for teachers that meets at the Just Buffalo Writing Center.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Just Buffalo Literary Center
Teachers ARE Writers with Kara Pranikoff May 19, 2026

Teachers ARE Writers with Kara Pranikoff (In Gratitude Session)

In this creative writing workshop, we provide a dedicated space for teachers and educators to reconnect with their own creative practices. This session is inspired by the In Gratitude project—a city-wide initiative rooted in the "serious noticing" of everyday joy.

468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203

View Event
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Just Buffalo Literary Center
Teachers ARE Writers with Luke Daly June 2, 2026

Teachers ARE Writers with Luke Daly (In Gratitude Session)

In this creative writing workshop, we provide a dedicated space for teachers and educators to reconnect with their own creative practices. This session is inspired by the In Gratitude project—a city-wide initiative rooted in the "serious noticing" of everyday joy.

468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203

View Event
No event found!

No events currently scheduled. Check back soon for updates to the calendar!

Testimonials from Teachers

“Just Buffalo is providing invaluable professional development experiences for participating teachers. Good writing pedagogy is modeled in these workshops and teachers are able to use the prompts and other activities they experience in their own classrooms.” —James Cercone, English Education Coordinator

“This is what Professional Development should be. I so appreciated the warmth of the presenters, the prompts given to encourage our own writing practice, the many resources offered, and the time allowed for meaningful discussion. It was a great day.” —Teacher

“Spending time in inspiring spaces, in an inspiring city with likeminded people provided a catalyst to revitalize what is happening in my classroom. In a profession that doesn’t lack for heavy content, a moment of light in the darkness was a much needed reminder of what connects us all.” —Teacher

“Just Buffalo provided a welcome departure from the typical writing that so many teachers are bogged down by- the formulaic five-paragraph essay. It was a pleasure to dive into creativity and to think about ways in which we can incorporate more of it in our classrooms.” —Teacher

Other Related JBWC Creative Writing Programs

Along with our FREE afterschool creative writing programs for youth (ages 12-18), the JBWC provides adults with space to write, learn, and connect with other writers. The JBWC is also a great resource for encouraging and supporting the teachers and schools in our community.

Zine Making Field Trip 2025 photo credit Noah Falck

Field Trips

From wild poems to epic adventures, comics or bookmaking, Just Buffalo provides writers of all ages with the opportunity to explore their creativity in an open, welcoming environment.

Learn More
Pondering student photo credit Pat Cray

In-School Creative Writing Programs

Each JBWC creative writing program is a unique collaboration with classroom teachers and administrators. Together we design writing exercises that support classroom goals while giving students the freedom to experiment with language, voice, and imagination.

Learn More
Tommy Orange - BABEL Student Reading Groups - Creative Writing Programs for Youth - Just Buffalo Literary Center - Photo by Nancy J. Parisi

BABEL Student Reading Groups

Just Buffalo’s BABEL Student Reading Groups invite curious young readers into the living heart of literature. Led by an English teacher with over 30 years of experience and designed specifically for high school readers, this enrichment program draws inspiration from the books featured in the BABEL Author Series.

Learn More
Mullen Elementary students field trip 2024

Creative Writing Programs for Youth

Our FREE after-school creative writing programs, including all youth writing workshops and other JBWC youth events, are aimed at young writers aged 12–18 and have options to join in-person or virtually.

Learn More
Teachers ARE Writers with Nina Vega-Westhoff photo credit Noah Falck

Creative Writing Programs for Adults

The Just Buffalo Writing Center (JBWC) provides adults with space to write, learn, and connect with other writers. Our creative writing programs for adults (ages 19 and up) are designed for any level of writer, from beginner to advanced, to hone your craft in a relaxed, nonjudgmental atmosphere.

Learn More
Made to Order poems photo credit Noah Falck

Made-to-Order Poems

Order a poem on a topic of your choosing and support Buffalo’s next generation of literary voices. All poems are written by students of the Just Buffalo Writing Center.

Order Your Poem

Professional Development Programs

The Just Buffalo Writing Center (JBWC) provides professional development opportunities for both teachers and school districts.

Teachers ARE Writers with Nina Vega-Westhoff photo credit Noah Falck

Our goal in working with school districts is to have teachers and administrators learn methods to help students write confidently with sound, sensible organization and strong, original voices.

Knowing the power creative writing can play in the classroom, our custom-designed creative writing programs will leave teachers and administrators leaving with various activities that inspire students to access their imaginations—and value writing in general.

Learn More

Set Up a Professional Development Program for your School or Organization

To get started on a one-of-a-kind professional development program, please fill out the form below. For more information, contact Noah Falck, Literary Director:

The Latest JBWC News

Stay up-to-date on the latest news from the Just Buffalo Writing Center.

Just Buffalo Writing Center Alums Published in New Anthology
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Just Buffalo Writing Center Alums Published in New Anthology
Eleven of our JBWC alums are featured in the International Library of Young Authors’ upcoming publication, How Can We Make This World Worth Knowing?
Announcing “In Gratitude”: A City-Wide Practice of Hope
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Announcing “In Gratitude”: A City-Wide Practice of Hope
We are thrilled to announce "In Gratitude," a city-wide reading and writing initiative designed to bring our community together. This project invites us all to practice "unabashed gratitude"—a concept inspired by the renowned poet and essayist Ross Gay.
in flux by Sage Enderton
Sunday, August 10, 2025
in flux by Sage Enderton
always meeting too late too early
too blonde too much stuff packed
into the back of your car.
Read "in flux" by Sage Enderton
All JBWC News