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About these courses …

Whether you are in 9th grade English, AP Language and Composition, or 2-1-2, we will focus on ensuring your future success by developing, refining, and maximizing your analytical, expository, and creative writing skills. We will analyze and discuss a variety of short stories, poems, novels, articles, etc. You will be expected to read, write, and verbally participate on a regular basis. I believe in collaboration, interdisciplinary lessons, and project-based learning with a strong emphasis on technology. Therefore, you should be prepared to work with your classmates on a series of projects that appeal to you both individually and collectively.   

 

About the content …

The first thing you should understand is that fiction writers are not gentle people. They often write harshly and explicitly about the dark, chaotic, and troubling aspects of human existence. As expected, we will encounter some disturbing characters who do and say things that may make us feel uncomfortable or even angry, but subjects like racism, sexuality, abuse, depression, greed, betrayal, addiction, death, and violence are issues that we must explore if we want to have an honest discussion about human nature. Although there is nothing wrong with a healthy debate, students sometimes find it difficult to remain respectful when they are passionate about a particular topic, so we must remember to respect each other at all times and accept the fact that our opinions may differ. With that said, I expect us to maintain a mature and professional environment throughout the year.

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About your teacher: After high school, I worked a series of odd jobs before obtaining a lucrative and exciting career at The New York Times. I worked at the Times for approximately 10 years, but I abandoned my career in order to adopt my son. From there, I worked as a construction mechanic, primarily fixing cranes, aerial lifts, and rough terrain forklifts until I was laid off during the recession. I started looking for a new job, but it became painfully clear that my choices were limited because I lacked a college degree. For a while, it seemed like I would have to work multiple jobs for the rest of my life, and as a single father desperately wanting to have more time for my son, this was something that I was determined to change. I eventually decided to make myself more desirable to employers by enrolling in college and earning a degree. In the process of going to school, I worked at another construction company; I also worked as a freelance audio technician and security guard. I began my formal education by majoring in secondary education and earning an Associates of Arts from the Community College of Philadelphia. Because of my success at CCP, I was awarded an academic scholarship to Chestnut Hill College where I majored in English literature and minored in secondary education. I ultimately graduated Summa cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English. In May of 2018, I graduated with distinction from Arcadia University with a Master of Arts in English. I'm currently in pursuit of an MFA in Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University. 

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My Teaching Philosophy: A well-respected and experienced professor once told me, “John, you have a unique teaching style and an incredible knack for connecting with others, but it might take a special group of administrators to see through your roughness to appreciate what you bring to the table.” What appealed to me about this statement was that it not only pinpointed how I felt as a college student and future educator, but it also helped me understand why I failed to bond or even listen to most of my teachers in high school. After all, I shared qualities with many of the authors and historical figures we were learning about. I was artistic, creative, sensitive, angry, rebellious, thoughtful, and reflective, so why wasn’t I interested in any of the lessons, and how did my teachers fail to build on the very traits that not only made me ripe for writing but also made me human? The truth of the matter is that I was always an outsider. I never exactly fit into any particular group. Even when others did seem to accept me, I always felt like there was an underlying disconnect between me and the rest of the world. To this day, I live on the edge of the circle, occasionally dipping inside to mingle with others only to jump right back outside to where I’m most comfortable. I suppose my teachers never had the time or desire to leave the center of their circles to discover the unique aspects of my personality that separated me from the rest of their students. And this, class, is where my teaching philosophy comes into play. I am 100% interested in what makes YOU who you are. Yes, there are skills that you will NEED to demonstrate in order to pass my course, and yes you will be REQUIRED to pass tests, participate regularly, and complete assignments by the due date. However, I am willing to craft assignments that cater to your personal strengths and interests. What does that mean? Well for starters, it means that you’re not only here to read literature and write papers, because I will design projects that incorporate subjects such as music, history, art, law, photography, computer science, psychology, forensic science, criminal justice, biology, and just about any other subject that you might be interested in (it is up to you to tell me what that is). It also means that you’re not only here to learn, because you’re here to teach ME just as much as I’m here to teach you. I think many teachers take their students for granted by placing themselves on a pedestal and assuming that their students are intellectually inferior; I am not one of those teachers. Intelligence comes in many forms, and I appreciate all kinds regardless of the person’s educational or socio-economic background. At the end of the day, I want my students to feel like they’re doing something meaningful. I want my students to embrace their own strengths without worrying about fitting in or conforming. I want my students to take risks by exploring unknown territories. I want my students to care about themselves and the work they produce.