English Department

"Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man."

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

American Statesman, scientist, and philosopher

Philosophy

We believe all students should be challenged, regardless of their ability, and smaller class sizes allow for more attention paid to individual needs of students.  Regardless of the specific assignments in the English classes, the curriculum is centered upon and driven by the needs of the students, thus increasing interest and assuring that all students are challenged by their work. This individualization is achieved through a variety of activities such as cooperative learning, authentic experiences, and independent learning activities. 

In English class, students do not learn only about Shakespeare or Steinbeck; instead, they learn how to think.  In essence, they learn how to learn. 

                                                         Course Information

All members of the department consistently juxtapose themes of morality and basic human decency from classic literature to the lives of our students so as to promote the idea that all people, especially those who have the means, must be responsible for and help those who do not have the basic necessities of life.

Required Coursework:

English I

                A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

                Mythology by Edith Hamilton

                Monster by Walter Dean Myers

                Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

                The Call of the Wild/White Fang by Jack London

                The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

                The House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer      

English II                  

                Animal Farm by George Orwell

                A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

                Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

                Legends of King Arthur

                An additional outside reading novel is required each quarter.

English III

                The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

                The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

                Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

                The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

English IV

                The Oedipal Trilogy

                      Oedipus Rex

                      Oedipus at Collonus

                      Antigone

                 Antigone by Anouilh 

                 Night by Elie Weisel

                 Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka 

                 Stranger by Camus

                 Other Selections from the Literature Book

Elective Course Work:

Introduction to Journalism, Newspaper, Yearbook

Drama, Speech, Debate, Forensics

Developmental Reading, Reading Enrichment, College Prep Reading

Library Science

Our Faculty

The English faculty connects with students in a variety of activities outside of the classroom.  Faculty members sponsor service clubs, advise the school newspaper, coach athletics, participate in Mass, and assist with grade level activities throughout the year such as Homecoming and class competitions.

Mrs. Gini Augustine – Librarian, Developmental Reading, Library Science

It is my privlege to serve this school, both as a teacher and as a resource person.  My joy is in helping others find reading materials that will encourage them to grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding.  To paraphrase W. Fusselman, today's readers are tomorrow's leaders.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know.  The more you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

Mr. Joe Hertel – English III

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived . . . . . . if a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer . . . . . . if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours . . . . . . how vain it is to sit down to write when  you have not stood up to live.” --- Henry David Thoreau

Mrs. Kathy Pfeifer - English I

Freshmen are a joy.  One moment they are truly adults: responsible, courteous, insightful; the next moment they are wiggling in their seats.  I hope to focus that youthful energy on reading and writing, and, most importantly, thinking.

"There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." -- Edith Wharton

Ms. Stacey Rupp - English IV, English IVA, English IA

Mrs. Heather Sramek – English II, Journalism

I truly love my job.  To be able to interact with high school students - individuals who are constantly learning, evolving, developing independence, thinking critically, and preparing to change the world - is a blessing from God. 

“Our greatest glory lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

-Anonymous

Mrs. Juleen Stecklein - English IV

My favorite phrase is "Live, Love, and Learn." I believe one should live as though each day were his last, follow the Golden Rule -- to love God above all and his neighbor as himself, and to never stop learning.