Welcome to the Canton Middle and High School English Department!
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Our Department Philosophy
More than anything else, the English department strives to ensure the success of all our students. Through the teaching of reading, writing, research, and speaking & listening skills, we work hard to get to know our students and to put their needs first. We believe in developing curriculum designed to engage students in the work while teaching them essential skills related to Language Arts.
Spotlight Section! Here is where we'll highlight exciting news, experiences, and innovations from our department. Enjoy!
December 2019: Spotlight on Canton English teachers taking on the National Council of Teachers of English National Convention in Baltimore, Maryland! Mrs. Connole, Mrs. Principe, Ms. Chafetz, Ms. Foster, and Ms. Wnuk all traveled to see their favorite Young Adult authors speak (like Jason Reynolds pictured here), attend workshops to engage with fellow ELA teachers, and enhance their overall knowledge and approach to teaching! They spent an exciting, and exhausting, four days making every moment count. We're very proud of our Canton representation among the best English teachers in the country.
October 2019: Spotlight on the English department's newest teacher! Olivia Stivala has taken over three senior classes including Heroes and Monsters, Utopias, and Canton Mastery Project. We're so excited to have her with us!
August 2019: Spotlight on the English department's welcome back outing! The crew got together at Southington's Board and Brush for a little creative inspiration!
Spotlight on Summer 2019! The members of the Canton English department may be on summer vacation, but that doesn't mean they aren't still hard at work! Check out what some of us are doing so far:
Ms. Chafetz, Mrs. Principe, Ms. Moberly, and Mrs. Connole are all preparing for their final comprehensive exams to earn complete degrees in Instructional Technology from St. Joseph's University! Congratulations, Canton cohort!
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Ms. Wnuk is spending her summer at the Breadloaf School of English in Middlebury, Vermont. There she'll be immersed in the study of literature as she begins her own journey of earning her Master's degree in English Literature. Good luck!
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Ms. Foster has just returned from a trip to South Dakota with the Simply Smiles Summer Camp program, where she worked with other volunteers to help enrich the lives of children across the country!
Mrs. Turano, Ms. Chafetz, and Ms. Foster are all spending some heavy-duty time updating their English 7 and English 8 curriculum plans for the 19-20 school year. Never too early to start planning!
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Dr. Kidwell is kicking off her July working with Canton Public Schools summer programs. First, the Summer Extravaganza which offers a variety of workshops for elementary and middle school students. Then - our third annual Canton Pathways program which brings middle and high school students together for team-building and leadership opportunities.
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Ms. Kurt is enjoying some much deserved time with family and friends, and continues to share her beautiful photography work with the world!
March 2019: Spotlight on Student Writers! Our very own Nora McConville, a 7th grade student at Canton Middle School, was awarded an Honorable Mention in the 30th edition of Connecticut Student Writers Magazine! Nora's poem was selected from hundreds of pieces submitted from all over the state. She will be honored at a reception on May 16 where she will read her poem, "Stars." We couldn't be prouder, Nora - congratulations!!
February 2019: Spotlight on Canton Mastery Projects! Just a few short weeks ago, all seniors in Canton High School presented their final products to an audience of their peers and teachers. They were able to highlight the amazing journeys they've had along the way and share their learning with many underclassmen who will begin that process in the coming weeks and into the fall. A very successful first round of Canton Mastery Projects!
November 2018: Spotlight on Canton Student Presenters at the Secondary School Writing Centers Association! Earlier this year, Canton High School juniors Jessie Webb and Julia Melton submitted proposals and were accepted to present at the national SSWCA conference in Washington D.C. Each of them addressed various ways for schools to grow and more effectively utilize their school's writing centers. Accompanied by CHS Writing Center director and teacher, Anna Moberly, Jessie and Julia made the Canton community proud!
October 2018: Spotlight on our whole 7-12 English department getting ready to extend our learning, tackle new challenges, and do the best we can to prepare our students to be insightful readers, writers, and thinkers. This year we're taking on a department book study with Kate Roberts' text A Novel Approach. Looking forward to many exciting conversations!
Extra Special Update to our August Spotlight!
Our own Ms. Wnuk was just recently awarded the Marian Gleason Most Promising New Teacher of 2018 award by the New England Association of Teachers of English. Congratulations, Ms. Wnuk!! We're so proud of you!!
August 2018
Spotlight on Canton's newest English teacher. Meet Ms. Michelle Wnuk!
Canton High School is excited to welcome Ms. Wnuk back to the English department! Having worked with us for a short time as a long-term substitute, Ms. Wnuk spent the last three years teaching English at RHAM High School. She's now delighted to return to Canton, and will be teaching ninth grade English, Creative Writing, and Utopias. Please join us in making her first year a great one!
April 2018
Spotlight on Project Lit Book Talks
Canton Schools is proud to announce its role as a #ProjectLitCommunity Chapter Leader. This is an organization designed to bring diverse, relevant texts to students and staff in an effort to promote the love of reading! We held our first first book talk featuring Jason Reynold's Long Way Down on April 25th, 2018. Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible! Looking forward to the next!
February 2018
Spotlight on Middle School Book Tasting!
One of our primary goals as English teachers is to continue to ignite the passion of reading in all of our students. Ms. Foster, Ms. Chafetz, and Ms. Olsen cooked up quite an entree of delicious book choices for their upcoming Historical Fiction units.
December 2017
Teachers as Students!
We're so proud of our teachers who take the extra time and effort to continue their growth and professional development through the pursuit of advanced degrees in educational technology.
Karla Principe, Anna Moberly, Elana Chafetz, and Leigh Connole finished their first semester through St. Joe's University in December. They particularly enjoyed their class with Superintendent of Schools, Kevin Case, as their teacher!
Sarah Foster will also get a short rest from her graduate work at the University of Connecticut. Congrats to all our English teachers as they continue their professional learning journeys.
October 2017
Spotlight on Mrs. Leigh Connole!
Mrs. Connole has been incredibly busy teaching her classes, completing her graduate course work, working with her NHS students, attending class of 2018 activities, being a collaborative colleague - all while getting ready to meet her new baby. To Mrs. Connole - we don't know how you do it all!
Mrs. Connole celebrating Baby Connole with the faculty!