Literature

Megan O

megan o

Growing up in the Paradise Valley Unified School District, I was taught by passionate professionals who made learning fun and meaningful and inspired me to dedicate my career to doing the same. After studying English with a Writing Concentration at Gonzaga University, I earned my Masters of Arts in Teaching through the University of Portland while teaching middle and high school English classes in Stayton, OR for two years. Upon graduation, I returned to Arizona and began work at a high school teaching honors and on-level English classes and journalism electives, as well as mentoring new teachers, serving as an adult leader in the House system, and moderating the Veterans Heritage Project club. I love teaching English because every day there is an opportunity to foster a spirit of critical thinking in students using literature as our common ground. Over the year, each class period becomes a unique community, but our mission remains constant—to ask questions of ourselves, each other, and the texts we
read. Working with students individually on their reading, writing, speaking, and grammar skills is an opportunity to teach students more effectively with a clearer picture of their individual content knowledge and skills. I approach a tutoring relationship with enthusiasm, humor, creativity, and the belief that working on something we struggle with is one of the bravest things we can do.