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.

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JBWC Creative Writing Programs for Teachers

In collaboration with the Buffalo Teacher Resource Center, 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.

Teachers ARE Writers: Upcoming Workshops

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

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

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

Professional Development Programs

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

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:

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.

Pondering student photo credit Pat Cray

In-School Creative Writing Programs & Field Trips

One of Just Buffalo’s greatest strengths is our ability to reach students of all ages and abilities—gifted and talented, at-risk, or special needs—and we’re proud to work with public, private, Catholic, and charter schools, as well as community centers throughout Western New York.

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.

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.

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.

The Latest JBWC News

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

“Still Life” by Zazie Anastasopoulos
Friday, November 15, 2024
“Still Life” by Zazie Anastasopoulos
Presenting “Still Life” a short story by the 2024 JBWC Youth Fellow, Zazie Anastasopoulos.
Transmissions: Issue 6
Monday, November 4, 2024
Transmissions: Issue 6
Transmissions is a collection of youth writing edited and designed by Youth Ambassadors of Just Buffalo's Writing Center. Issue 6 features work that emerged from JBWC programs during the Spring of 2024.
Wordplay 2024
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Wordplay 2024
At Just Buffalo Literary Center, we believe in the love of reading, the art of writing, and the power of the literary arts to transform lives and communities. WORDPLAY, our annual anthology featuring the writing of young people composed during our education programs, performs every part of this mission. Take a look inside past issues. See what moves the young people of Western New York. We are always astonished by what is voiced inside, and we are sure you will be too.