English Department Teachers

Carole Casto is an English Teacher and the Director of Student Activities. As Western's Activities Director, she teaches the Leadership Class and oversees all activities for Western Pioneers. These include assemblies, dances, spirit days, service projects, and club activities.

Carole teaches 11th Grade English which covers American Literature. Her students not only explore the American Dream as it is represented in literature, but they also research their own American Dream. This project involves students researching future colleges and careers, and finding out what it will take to achieve their American Dream.

Carole has been a proud teacher at Western since 2001. Beyond ASB, she advises the Junior Club and Filipino Club. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Casto loves spending time with her husband and three kids. She loves traveling with her family and cheering on her kids in their sports and activities.

Educational Background

• Masters of Education - University of California at Santa Barbara

• Bachelor of Arts in English - University of California at Santa Barbara

Professional Organizations

• Member of the National Council of Teachers of English

• Member of the California Association of Directors of Activities

Education:

I grew up in Orange County, but went to the bay area for college at UC Berkeley. I loved the bay area, but decided to come back to my roots and work in the OC. After earning my teaching credential in English, I received my Masters of Science from Cal State Fullerton.

Professionally:

I started teaching in 1998 and have taught junior and senior high. I have been at Western High School since 2001. There are several things I love about Western. Number one is the students! These young people are awesome! It is also great that they come from different cultures; it really creates a wonderful environment to learn and become an understanding citizen. Another aspect I love about Western is the staff. We have great teachers here that care about their students. Go Pios!

I am also an adjunct professor at Cal State Fullerton. I have been teaching there since 2005. It is fun teaching adults. Most of my classes I teach are for students learning to become teachers. I now have colleagues at Western that were once in my class at Fullerton--super cool!

Honors/Awards:

• 2005 Apple of Character Award

• 2008 Apple of Character Award

• 2009-10 Western High School Teacher of the Year

• 2011-12 Anaheim Union High School District EL Teacher of the Year

• as of 2017 National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent English Language Arts

Title:

• 9th Grade ENGLISH/PUENTE ENGLISH

• GIRLS BASKETBALL HEAD COACH

• LINK CREW ADVISOR

• DO YOUR PART ADVISOR

Education:

• Pupil Personnel Services Credential

• California State University Los Angeles

• Masters in Counseling

• California State University Los Angeles

• Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

• including Clear Bilingual Cross-Cultural Language Development (BCLAD) Certificate

• California State University San Marcos

BIOGRAPHY & EDUCATION

Originally from Hawthorne, California, Ms. Leang moved to Orange County to attend UC Irvine. She graduated from UCI with B.A. in English and Psychology & Social Behavior. She continued her education at UCI and received a teaching credential and a M.A. in Teaching. Ms. Leang is a proud mother of two amazing little girls and spends most of her time chasing after them.

Ms. Leang started teaching at Western High School in 2006 and has since considered it her second home. She is currently the Puente teacher for the class of 2021 and 2023. She is also the Yearbook Advisor, English Department Chair, Servathon Lead, and Leadership Team Co-Lead. In 2017, Ms. Leang earned her National Board Certification.

Education

• Master of Arts in English, UC Irvine

• Single Subject Teaching Credential in English, CSU Long Beach

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Chapman University

Activities/Extracurricular Interests

• Theatre, Oral Interpretation

Classes

• English 9

• English 12

• AVID

Education Background:

• • Western High School Graduate

  • BA in English and East Asian Languages an Cultures from USC

  • Single Subject Credential in English and Supplementary Credential in Japanese

Classes:

• • YouTube Academy English Course: Changing Hearts and Minds

  • English II HP

Western High School Duties:

• Japanese Club Advisor

• Girls Basketball Assistant

Ms. Pryor's Education History:

• Master's Degree, English Literature (UC Irvine 2014)

• Single Subject Secondary Teaching Credential, English (Cal State Fullerton 2000)

• Bachelor Degree, English (Biola University 1993)

Activities:

• Planeteers Co-Advisor

• Writing Club Advisor (new in 2020)

Classes:

• AP English Language & Composition (11th)

• English 2

• English 2 "Get Reel" (Creators for Change, formerly called YouTube Academy)

Extracurricular Interests:

Reading, Writing, Photography, Cats, Travel, the California Coast

Favorite Authors & Poets:

Madeleine L'Engle, Mary Oliver, Anne Lamott, Annie Dillard, Octavia Butler, Roxane Gay, Mary Karr, Diane Setterfield, Neil Gaiman, Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant, Rachael Herron, N.K. Jemisin, Margaret Atwood, Ursula LeGuin, Marilynne Robinson, E. Annie Proulx

Education:

• Masters in Curriculum & Instruction (Concordia University 2007)

• Clear Single Subject Credential in English (California State University, Fullerton 2002)

• Bachelor of Arts, English (California State University, Fullerton 2001)

Activities:

• Key Club Faculty Advisor

• AVID Club Co-Advisor

• BSU Co-Advisor

Classes:

• Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature

• AVID 10 & 11

• English III

Education:

• Single Subject Teaching Credential in English, CSU Fullerton.

• Bachelor's Degree in English, CSU Fullerton.

• Graduate of Orange High School.

Extracurricular Interests:

Traveling, reading, taking walks/beach trips, listening to film music.

Years of Service in the AUHSD: 20

Activities (past to present):

• Adviser of The Shamrock student newspaper, Kennedy High School.

• Adviser of GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), Western High School.

• PTLC (small learning community) teacher, Western High School.

• Adviser of Pio Book Club, Western High School.

• Puente English 3 teacher, Western High School.

• Senior Capstone Portfolio Committee Member, Western High School.

Classes:

• English 4

• English 4 (inclusion)

Education:

• Single Subject Credential in English, CSU Dominguez Hills.

• Bachelor of Arts in English, CSU Fullerton.

• Graduate of Anaheim High School, AUHSD Alumni and Centennial Class member.

Extracurricular Interests:

Mrs. Ruiz loves spending time with her husband and four kids. She enjoys traveling, especially to new baseball stadiums! Reading and taking walks are her daily peaceful activities. Most of her free time outside the classroom she is cheering on her three younger children in their sporting events.

Years of Service in AUHSD: 15

Activities (past to present):

• PTLC (small learning community) teacher, Western High School.

• AVID 11th grade, Katella High School.

• ELD Department Co-Chair, Western High School.

Classes:

• English 3

• ELD I and II

Dr. David Seagraves has been at Western High School eleven years. He started his teaching career in Honolulu, HI.

Education:

• Bachelors of Education - University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Masters of Education - University of Hawaii - Manoa

• Doctorate of Academic Leadership - Liberty University

• Single Subject Teaching Credential in English

• BTSA Support Provider - Six Years

• BTSA Support Provider Trainer - Three Years

• BTSA Advisory Board - One Year

• Orange County Theatre Arts Educator of the Year 2000