My Role:

I teach two literature-based English classes: 11th grade American Literature and 12th grade Humanities.

About Me:

I'm a professional writer by trade, and became a teacher because I love teaching young people the art of writing and reading well. I've been teaching here at GHS since the fall of 2003. I'm a Libra, and I enjoy long walks in the rain and fluffy blankets by a warm fire.

In the fall I coach the boys' and girls' varsity cross country teams, where I enjoy watching our athletes stretch their notions of what a body can do physically and mentally. I have another quote to share, which is our team's motto: "You will only be as good as you want to be."

Student Information:

American Literature: During the second semester we will be studying the roaring 20's. We will read The Great Gatsby and complete a research project based on the 20's. Then we will read the play, Inherit the Wind, which deals with the Scopes Monkey trial. Following this we will read one of my all-time favorite books, The Grapes of Wrath, and then read, The Crucible, a play dealing with the Salem witch trials.

Humanities: During the second semester we will be studying Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and creating two pieces of writing regarding this composer. Also, we will read the play, Pygmalion, the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, study short pieces by Franz Kafka, read Elie Weisel's stirring recollection of concentration camps, Night, and read the play, Death of a Salesman. Along the way I'd love to squeeze in a great novel, The Princess Bride.

Parent Information:

Email is definitely the best and quickest way to contact me with questions or concerns. See below for contact info.

As our English courses are literature-based, your child will have reading to do outside of the classroom. If they're not reading, they won't be fulfilling the expectations of my class. There is a direct correlation between reading the material assigned and doing well in English class.