English Department

  • Welcome to the English Department,

    Terra Nova’s English Department believes that all students should leave high school able to read complex texts, think critically about the information within the texts, communicate effectively about what they are learning, and write convincingly for a variety of audiences and purposes.

    To achieve those objectives, all courses include both classic and modern pieces of literature, fiction and non-fiction texts, presentations, research papers, and literary analysis essays.  All of our teachers are committed to being and creating life-long learners; department staff enhance the learning environment by updating and modifying curriculum, attending professional development opportunities, and reading for pleasure.

    Sample texts and topics at different grade levels (this list is by no means exhaustive):

    English 9/9E:  Romeo and Juliet, Of Mice and Men, The House on Mango Street, and Greek/Roman mythology

    English 10/10E:  Macbeth, All Quiet on the Western Front, Catcher in the Rye, and Things Fall Apart

    English 11/11H/AP English Language:  The Crucible, The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, Homegoing, and In Cold Blood​

    English 12 (ERWC – Expository Reading/Writing Curriculum)/12H/AP English Literature:  Hamlet, Into the Wild, Like Water for Chocolate, and The Things They Carried

     

    Alyssa Jenkins

    English Department Chair, AP English Literature & Composition, 

    Enriched English 10, English 9, Journalism 1, Journalism 2, Travel Club Advisor, Students in Action Advisor, Mock Trial Advisor

    AJenkins@jeffersonunion.net

     

    Nathan Batchelder

    English 9; English 10; English 11

    nbatchelder@jeffersonunion.net

     

    Robert Colvig

    English 10, Advanced Journalism - Yearbook

    rcolvig@jeffersonunion.net

     

    Ashleigh Karkazis

    Expository Reading & Writing, Class of 2022 Advisor                                                            

    akarkazis@jeffersonunion.net

     

    Sara Meskin 

    Enriched English 9, AP English Language & Composition, Expository Reading & Writing, Women's Advocacy Club Advisor; Instructional Coach

    SMeskin@jeffersonunion.net

     

    Scot Schneider 

    Film as Literature (Drama, Advanced Drama, Theater Tech – offerred through the Fine Arts Department)

    Drama Club, Film Club, and Poetry Club Advisor 

    SSchne@jeffersonunion.net

     

    Diane Woodhull

    English 9, English 11, English 11 Honors

    dwoodhull@jeffersonunion.net