Location: N102

Phone: 707-556-5700 ext. 51035

Voicemail: #51035

About Classes:
Students enrolled in my comprehensive English courses will experience a variety of activities designed to improve their oral and written communication skills. Activities and units of study of the English 10 curriculum are aligned with the State Standards/Frameworks. The Expected Schoolwide Learning Results(ESLRS) are consistently addressed in all course work. Similarly, reinforcement and reiteration of the Language Arts Standards of the VCUSD are evident in the literature-based curriculum for this course.

Enrollees in the elective Womens Literature/Multicultural Literature course for Grade 12 students are exposed to extensive reading/analysis of prose and poetry by female authors,minority writers, contemporary and classic. Students write in conjunction with the Department Competencies for their level and abilities. Research and Critical Thinking units are emphasized in this course similar to other Language Arts courses.

Important Sites for Students, Parents & Teachers:

California Reading List: Matches Students to Books based on the Stanford 9 Achievement Test Results. Good for selecting books designed to improve student reading skills.

Background:
Although I am rapidly approaching my third decade as an educator, I can honestly say, I'm yet relishing each moment of interaction with young minds. Twenty-seven(27) of those years have been spent in the classroom as an English/Language Arts Instructor and the remaining time as an Academic Guidance Counselor at the Secondary level.

Teaching is my niche! It's what I do! It's what I've always aspired to do!

Born in rural Arkansas, educated briefly in a small two room school during my primary years, I was fascinated with both teaching and learning. After relocating to California and continuing my education, I committed to becoming a teacher.

Education:
Graduated from Berkeley High School and did Undergraduate studies in Southern California; Received a B.A. in English from California State University, Los Angeles; Post Graduate work at University of San Francisco; Received a Standard Secondary Teaching Credential; Masters of Science in Education from University of La Verne; Pupil Personnel Services Credential;

Teaching Experience:
Regular Education English/Literature Courses; Accelerated Honors English Courses; Advanced Placement English; Social Science Courses;

Academic and Guidance Counselor for middle school and high school students;

Current Assignment:
Instructor of Sophomore English and elective Senior course, Women's Literature/Multicultural Literature

Passionate about the authors/literary works included in the course anthology, both prose and poetry, as well as the extensive compilation of women writers/works in Norton's Anthology of Literature by Women.

About My Classroooms

Students are treated with the utmost respect; naturally, I expect the same from them. They are given a written copy of Groundrules and Guidelines as standards of deportment and attitude to ensure a productive and rewarding session of learning.

Parents are welcome to contact or visit my classroom; the procedure for doing so can be obtained from the Counseling Department of JBHS.

Parents are also encouraged to become a partner with me in educating their students and effectively improving their communication skills. Checking your students daily agendas, which is to be written and kept in their course binders will assist them in successfully completing the units of study. Homework is assigned nightly and may simply be to read their Outside Reading Novel (Six are assigned for the years course; three for the semester elective course). Students do a variety of reports relative to their self selected novels, oral, visual and written.

My overall style of instruction is interactive---i.e., I enjoy facilitating the learning. I am gratified in seeing students think, listen and respond as we approach a literature-based curriculum appropriate for their grade and ability levels. Students experience a variety of activities in working independently, with partners and in small groups collaboratively. I often remind them I serve as an leader of learning so to speak, but they must take responsibility for what they learn from me and their peers. While I am still cognizant of the effectiveness of teacher-centered instruction, I am incorporating more activities/ lesson units that involved student-centered and peer teaching strategies of instruction.

Students who have completed my course of study will have a greater appreciation of the effective communication in Standard English, both in writing and grammar. Their speaking and listening skills will be notably improved and finally, students who succeed will be better critical thinkers/listeners.