Hi! Welcome to the new school year!

My name is Josh Edmiston, and I’m thrilled to continue teaching English 11 and Film Criticism this year at Cibola.

Our English 11 class will revolve around American literature, but, more importantly, we will turn our focus toward the power of rhetoric, research, and voice—how individuals and movements have used language to shape thought, challenge systems, and carve space for identity. We’ll dive into foundational texts and lesser-told narratives alike, using them to analyze the rhetoric of resistance, the architecture of persuasion, and the shifting definitions of what it means to be “American.” By the end of the year, we’ll not only better understand the country’s literary landscape but also develop sharper tools to navigate and influence the world beyond the classroom.

In Film Criticism, we’ll step behind the camera lens to explore how movies communicate meaning—visually, narratively, and culturally. From genre analysis to cinematography, parody to mise en scène, students will learn to articulate not just what a film says, but how and why it says it. Think of it as English class with popcorn.

On this page, you’ll find some general info about our classes as well as links for Google Classroom and weekly lesson plans.

As always, this space will grow throughout the year—check back regularly to stay in the loop or follow our progress as the semester unfolds.

Remind is a very simple way for both students and parents to receive near-immediate text messages from me. No phone numbers are ever exchanged, but we are able to stay in contact with a fair amount of ease.

To sign up for Remind, please send the following code as a text message to the number 81010. 

• Film Crit: @7d234d

• English 11: @7h7g7a3

There is also an app for your phone, but downloading is not necessary to use the service.