About Ms. Vasich

Welcome! This is my sixth year teaching at Washburn High School. I graduated from Macalester College, St. Paul, MN with a Bachelor in Liberal Arts. I majored in English Literature and minored in Anthropology. I received my Initial License and Masters in English Education (grades 6-12) from University of Minnesota. I discovered my love for teaching while teaching and farming at Slide Ranch in Marin, California. Working with goats, chickens, and sheep was useful and nourishing, but I found that I preferred people! Yet, I still share stories about growing my own food, community living, and sustainability with my current students. We like to debate about the pros and cons of being “plugged in" vs. being "unplugged" in our fast paced world.

I am drawn to teaching high school English because I absolutely thrive on possibility, creativity, and critical thinking. I am always experimenting with new ideas and projects due to constant inspiration from my students, colleagues, bloggers, and the thriving goodness of the Twin Cities' artistic and social advocacy scenes.

Contact info: molly.vasich@mpls.k12.mn.us

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Grant & Awards

LRNG Innovation Challenge Grant, National Writing Project & John Legend "Show Me" Campaign, 2016.

Celebration of Teachers Award, Minneapolis Public Schools, Spring 2015.

National Council of Teachers of English Affiliate Leadership Development Award, 2010.

Publications

M. McCarthy Vasich and J. Dockter Tierny, "Claiming Their Learning: Urban Teens and the Documentary Filmmaking Process." Minnesota English Journal. Minnesota Council of Teachers of English. Vol. 46. Feb. 2011.

Presentations

"Cultivating Voices That Matter Through Arts Literacy," Molly Vasich & Keno Evol, Minnesota Writing Project, Fall Workshop 2016.

"Writing Methods: Critical Literacy & Digital Media," Molly Vasich, University of Minnesota, English Education M.ED/Licensure Program, Feb. 2014.

"Incorporating Themes of Justice & Equity Through Non-Fiction," Molly Vasich, Minnesota Writing Project, Feb. 22, 2014.

"We Are The Other," co-presenters: Jessica Dockter Tierney & Molly Vasich, Minnesota Writing Project, March 9, 2013.

"Input/Output: Critical Consumption and Production of Media in the 21st Century Language Arts Classroom," co-presenters: Kristin Bergsagel & Molly Vasich, Minnesota Council of Teachers of English 2011 Spring Conference.

Press

"In Minneapolis, Fostering Black Voices," Educator Innovator Blog, Jan. 2017.: http://educatorinnovator.org/in-minneapolis-fostering-black-voices/

"The Incredible True Story," Teaching Tolerance Magazine, Number 45, Fall 2013: http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-45-fall-2013/incredible-true-story.

Cool In School: Roosevelt High School's Digital Media Studies, Kare 11, Feb. 2010: http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=840127

Achievement of Tenure: Click here to view materials.