The Writing Program Director, Coordinator, and Executive Director, have 30 years of combined experience with the organization. IOW's diverse group of 53 volunteer teachers, comprised primarily of professional writers and educators, have instructed our writing classes for several years and are adept at working with incarcerated youth. They are trained to adjust to planned and unanticipated shifts in Probation protocol or directives that impact class scheduling, structure, and location. Our instructors are well-qualified to provide culturally relevant, and developmentally appropriate programming. Their delivery of innovative class experiences and affirmation of students have been informally and officially recognized by IOW staff, Probation unit staff and BMP, new and journalism outlets and, most importantly, by their students via letters of appreciation to IOW's office and continued class attendance.