English with
Mrs. Fikse
This year, I'm excited to teach both 7th and 8th grade.
This site will help you navigate between the grade levels I teach and connect you to important links and resources.
Welcome to 2020-2021
Welcome to 8th Grade English! I am so glad you are in my class this year!
I'm passionate about making sure all students feel supported and work hard in my classes. I believe that everyone can be successful in school with the correct support. It is important to me that students learn responsibility, perseverance, and the joys of success. I have high expectations for my students and I will push them to be their best selves. This year our texts will broaden students' perspectives and challenge their perspectives. Students will learn skills that will help them on their way to becoming thoughtful, educated citizens.
School will look very different this year, but I have confidence that we will make it work together!
Additionally, here are some terms you should know for Distance Learning:
Weekly Playlists - agendas, videos, assignments, and homework for each week
Google Classroom - where students complete and submit their work
Synchronous Learning-Classwork (We Do) - work students do during our scheduled time together in Google Meets
Asynchronous- Homework (You Do) - work students do independently during times when our class isn't meeting
Reference & Links - important class documents, and links to websites we use
About Mrs. Fikse
Hello Canyon Condor Families!
I am a Canyon alum (and Vannoy alum). I graduated from CVHS, went to Los Positas for my AA degree, and then went to University of Pacific in Stockton where I earned my BA in English and Masters in Education. I taught in Stockton for six years before moving back to the Bay Area. Go Ports!
I love teaching English and middle school! I'm passionate about English because it is personal and texts can speak to each of us differently. One of my favorite things in the world is to help students learn to love to read...or at least not hate it, in some cases. In this class, students will work hard and be challenged to form their own opinions and analyze their perspectives. I enjoy teaching middle school because students are starting to form their own opinions and learning to challenge the world around them. My goal for our class is to ensure that each student is prepared to communicate effectively through reading, writing, and speaking. I have high expectations for my students and I will push them to be their best selves, while also always supporting them along the way.
If you ever need a book recommendation let me know, I read a lot and share books and talking books is one of my favorite things to do!
I also am one of the WEB coordinators at Canyon. I'm passionate about helping students find their inner leader while supporting our incoming students. It is important to me that every student feels safe and welcomed while at school.
When I'm not at school, I spend my time with my family and friends. I have a wonderful toddler, a supportive husband, and an old pushy dog named Cali (she's 12). I enjoy reading, and I'm working on my personal goal of seeing all of Shakespeare's plays live in theater-I have currently seen 29/37. The last few plays are not often performed, so if you hear about a local listing of any of the following plays, please let me know: "Coriolanus", "Henry VI: Part I, II, or III", "Henry VIII", "King John", or "Titus Andronicus".
Still have questions or want to learn more about me? Send me an email or a Remind!