English
2007-2008
[Curriculum]     [Special Events]     [Publications]     [Teachers in Alphabetical Order] 

     Welcome to the English Department at Highland High School. With 25 tenured and tenure-track faculty, we are the largest department on campus. The teachers of the Department of English are dedicated to teaching students the necessary reading, writing, speaking and listening skills to succeed in college and the working world. In addition, the department supports elective course work in journalism, drama, speech, creative writing and the senior project, which is required of all students for graduation.

     The Department of English is committed to helping students meet their educational goals, which include mastery of the California Standards for language arts. The standards are available on the California State Department of Education’s web site (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/engmain.asp). The district has adopted the new state-approved Holt Language Arts series of texts to help students succeed in mastering the standards and passing the CAHSEE exam. Please visit the Holt web site for more information and for student support activities and resources (www.go.hrw.com).

      In addition, we have implemented Accelerated Reader (http://www.renlearn.com/ar/default.htm) across the department to support all students in reading, and we are also currently implementing the Language! Program to help struggling students become proficient grade-level readers. All of the HHS teachers expect students grades 9-12 to be reading during the school’s daily Silent Sustained Reading (SSR) period, which occurs after the morning break. Every child should come to school with a book and be prepared to read. If you have any questions regarding the curriculum, including AR, please contact your child’s teacher directly by phone of via email.

Department Co-Chairs,

Curriculum

9^th  and 10^th Grade CA Standards (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/enggrades9-10.asp).
11^th and 12^th Grade Standards (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/enggrades11-12.asp).
Special 12^th Grade Course Options

• British Literature
• World Literature
• Bible as Literature

Elective Units in English

• Speech
• Drama 1, 2, IB Theater Arts, and Theater Crafts
• Journalism
• Creative Writing

 Special Events (Dates To Be Announced)

• Drama Performances

• AP Tutoring

• College Essay Writing Sessions

• Poetry Slam

• Poetry Reading/ Presentation of Voices

Publications Supported by the English Department

• The Paw Print, Newspaper

• Voices, Literary Magazine

Click here for a period-by-period schedule for the English Department

Teachers in Alphabetical Order	HHS Room / Ext.	Email	Degrees and Additional Professional Training
Mr. Israel Arauz	117	iarauz@avhsd.org
Ms Chantelle Baker-Ortiz	110	ccbaker-ortiz@avhsd.org	BA -Literature and Writing (CSU San Marcos)
Ms. Billie Baumgartner	102	bbaumgartner@avhsd.org	B.A.—English and Speech, Texas Lutheran University, 1965; Graduate work in Linguistics (Univ. of Texas-Austin), Education and English (USC and University of Phoenix); AP Trained; Clear Credential in Education
Mr. Tim Corfman	117	tcorfman@avhsd.org	B.A.—English, Abilene Christian University, 1988; M.E.D. (Master in Education—Reading); Holt Trained 2004; CA Single Subject Credential-English
Ms Jessie Cote	115	jcote@avhsd.org	BA English, Western Oregon University MAT,  Oregon State University
Ms Sandra Gordon	G		B.S. History (CSUN) M.S. Educational Psychology (CSUN) Juris Doctorate (Albany Law School of Union University)
Mr. Brian Guthrie	114	bguthrie@avhsd.org
Ms. Desiree Hamill	111	dhamill@avhsd.org	B.A.—English, CSU-Northridge, 1995; M.A.—English, Creative Writing, CSUN, 2000; AP Trained 2003; IB Trained 2001; Holt Trained 2004; Currently working towards M.F.A.-Creative Writing, CSU-Chico; CLAD CA Single Subject Credential English
Mr. Gary Holt	113	gholt@avhsd.org	B.A.—English Literature with Honors, 1996; Currently working on M.A.—English Composition, CSU-Santa Barbara; AP Trained in Language and in Literature; CA Single Subject Credential--English
Ms Janelle Ignatowicz	201	jignatowicz@avhsd.org
Ms Denise Kane	111	dkane@avhsd.org
Ms Meghan Lilley	202	mlilley@avhsd.org	B.A. in English, Minor in Psychology (Northern Arizona University 1996)
Ms Nancy Michel	106	nmichel@avhsd.org	B.A. in English, University of Iowa M.A.T. (Master of Arts in Teaching English), University of Iowa CLAD
Ms Elizabeth Morales	118	emorales@avhsd.org
Mr. David Rivas	105	drivas@avhsd.org	B.A. in English from Cal State Bakersfield
Ms Ana Sell	107	asell@avhsd.org	English BA California State University, Bakersfield Master of Arts in Education/Curriculum and Instruction Chapman University
Ms Carol Stanford	101	cstandford@avhsd.org
Ms Christine Vanderzee	116	cvanderzee@avhsd.org	B.A. English: Languge and Literature Pepperdine University M.A. Education: Instruction & Curriculum: Chapman University (Degree in Progress): Ed.D Education: Organizational Leadership-Pepperdine University
Ms. Marie Williams	112	mwilliams@avhsd.org	B.S.—Sociology, with minors in Spanish and English, CSU-Northridge, 1985; AP Trained in Spanish Literature; Bilingual Certificate of Competency; Holt Trained 2004; CA Single Subject Credentials in English and Spanish
Mr. John Woowine	109	jwoolwine@avhsd.org	BA History, (University of Oregon) Teaching Credential History and English (University of Oregon)
Mr. Adam Yates	204	ayates@avhsd.org