Pictured front row to back row, left to right: Erin MacPherson, Lindsey LeCroy-Whitworth, and Kayleigh Conner. Middle row: Peter Cashwell, Celie Boswell, Kerry Sheppard, and Jennifer McLaughlin. Back row: Ed Coleman, Kara Love, and Andrew Maples.
Hold onto your red pens! It’s time to celebrate the English Department’s latest and greatest accomplishments!
- We welcomed three new teachers to our department: Ms. Erin MacPherson (World Lit 10, AP Literature), Ms. Jennifer McLaughlin (World Lit 9 and AP Language), and Mr. Andrew Maples (World Lit 10, AP Language).
- Ms. Lindsey LeCroy-Whitworth designed a new senior seminar, The Power of Story.
- Mr. Ed Coleman reimagined our American Lit and British Lit classes into a new combined 2-year cycle called Contemporary Voices.
- Ms. Kayleigh Conner introduced a new elective, The Gothic in Literature and Popular Media.
- Ms. Celie Boswell collaborated with a team of teachers to implement the new MLWGS 101 course offered to all freshmen (replacing the former FIRC courses).
- Mr. Pete Cashwell’s Jabberwock staff published another hit newspaper edition.
- In addition to sponsoring the MLWGS Debate team, Ms. Celie Boswell recruited Ms. Erin MacPherson to co-sponsor the MLWGS. Speech/Forensics team. Recently, they took close to 30 students to a scrimmage at Meadowbrook High School.
- Mr. Ed Coleman worked with the Counseling Department to implement the new Dragon Advisory program for freshmen. Ms. Jennifer McLaughlin and Ms. Kara Love are acting as mentors to the initiative and students.
- Ms. Kara Love entered her third year as Senior Class Sponsor.
- Ms. Kerry Sheppard embarked on her fifth year as Department Chair.
- Mr. John Piersol departed for Bali to start the first year of a two-year sabbatical teaching at the Bali Island School.
- Professionally, Mr. Andrew Maples continued a course study on Korean poetry, Mr. Ed Coleman recently renewed his National Board Certification, and Ms. Jennifer McLaughlin earned her MA from Texas Tech.
The list could just keep going…
What’s the takeaway? We feel lucky to work together at MLWGS! We are role models for each other and our students. We support one another and collaborate by brainstorming ideas for lessons and activities, sharing exemplary essays, and talking about what works and what doesn’t while we reflect on how we can be better.
We love language and believe that it is at the heart of what makes us human. It’s a source of power and joy that can shape our lives. Each of us is committed to helping our students read deeply and critically, discovering how language adds beauty, purpose, and empathy to our everyday experiences.
