Coleytown Teacher Wins State Writing Honor

Emily Diggs, a sixth-grade language arts teacher at Coleytown Middle School in Westport, was named an Honored Teacher by Connecticut Writing Project-Storrs on May 14, according to Westport Public Schools. The district said the award recognized Diggs for her impact on student writers. The honor was presented as part of the Connecticut Writing Project-Storrs 2026 Student Recognition Night at the University of Connecticut’s Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts in Storrs. The annual event also recognized student writers and artists from across Connecticut. ### Who is Emily Diggs, and what was the award for? Westport Public Schools identified Diggs as a Grade 6 language arts teacher at Coleytown Middle School. The district said she was selected as an Honored Teacher “in recognition of her impact on student writers.” Coleytown Middle School is part of Westport Public Schools in Westport, Connecticut. (cms.westportps.org) The district said Diggs’ selection reflected classroom work in which students are encouraged to “think deeply, write clearly, and share their ideas with purpose.” Westport Public Schools said the award also highlighted the role teachers play in helping students develop writing skills and confidence. (cms.westportps.org) ### What is the Connecticut Writing Project-Storrs event where she was recognized? The Connecticut Writing Project-Storrs held its 2026 Student Recognition Night on Thursday, May 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at UConn’s Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, according to the project’s website and Westport Public Schools. The event brought together students and teachers recognized through the project’s annual writing and art programs. (cms.westportps.org) UConn’s Connecticut Writing Project says the Storrs site offers professional growth opportunities for teachers in all disciplines and uses writing as a means of learning. The project says it holds an annual Summer Institute for teachers, hosts writing contests for teachers and students, and publishes teacher and student work. The site describes itself as one of the oldest sites in the National Writing Project, established at the University of Connecticut in 1982. (cms.westportps.org) ### How long has this writing program been running? The Connecticut Writing Project’s Connecticut Student Writing Contest and Connecticut Student Writers magazine have recognized student writing and art from kindergarten through grade 12 since 1987, Westport Public Schools said. The district said the program honors student achievement while also recognizing teachers who support that work. (cwp.uconn.edu) The UConn-based project said selected student speakers from grades K-12 were scheduled to read their winning pieces from the stage during the May 14 program. That tied the teacher recognition directly to the statewide student contest and publication program. ### Who else appeared at the ceremony? (cms.westportps.org) Jennifer De Leon served as keynote speaker for the 2026 event, according to Westport Public Schools and the Connecticut Writing Project website. The project identified De Leon as an award-winning author, an associate professor of creative writing at Framingham State University, and a faculty member of the Newport MFA program. (cms.westportps.org) The Connecticut Writing Project said De Leon is known for the books *Borderless*, *Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From*, and *White Space: Essays on Culture, Race, & Writing*. Westport Public Schools also listed those titles in its announcement of Diggs’ recognition. ### What comes next for Westport students and teachers in this program? (cms.westportps.org) The Connecticut Writing Project said its annual programs include a Summer Institute for teachers, student and teacher writing contests, and publication of teacher and student work. Westport Public Schools has also previously highlighted Coleytown Middle School students in the statewide Connecticut Student Writers Contest, including a May 19, 2025 district post about CMS students recognized as winners. (cms.westportps.org) The next public markers in the program are the project’s recurring contests, publications and teacher-development offerings run through the UConn-based Connecticut Writing Project-Storrs. Westport readers can find Diggs’ recognition in the May 14, 2026 news post on the Coleytown Middle School site, while the Connecticut Writing Project website lists upcoming program announcements and events. (cms.westportps.org) (cwp.uconn.edu)