• National English Honors Society Advisor

• English Department

  • Junior English

  • Sophomore English- R, S, H

  • Philosophy and Literature

• Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)- TCNJ

  • English Literature, B.A.- RCNJ

  • Theater (Acting concentration), B.A.- RCNJ

Ms. Darragh Spiewak is in her 15th year of teaching at Colonia High School. She currently teaches Sophomore English Honors, R, and S, and Philosophy and Literature and in the past has taught AP Literature and Composition.  She completed her undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degrees at Ramapo College of NJ (theater as well as literature). After graduation, Ms. Spiewak pursued careers in the arts and sales. Feeling uninspired and unfulfilled, she sought her life's true passion, and enrolled in and completed, The College of NJ's full time master's program for teaching (MAT).  

Ms. Spiewak believes that it is only through developing relationships that we may begin to educate. She strives to create a space where all students are welcomed,  are appreciated and are safe to communicate. With some firm but fair expectations for both work ethic and behavior, Ms. Spiewak hopes to instill an appreciation for the subject matter despite any/all hesitations a student may have. Ms. Spiewak draws on her diversified career and life experiences and thirst for knowledge to engage and relate the curriculum to the lives of CHS students.

In her classroom, Ms. Spiewak strives to illustrate the art of communication, civility, and compassion.  She reminds her students, "we can not avoid difficult and controversial issues in the very place where we are supposed to learn about them." But she also emphasizes that a productive conversation can ONLY materialize from respectful and well informed discourse. By illustrating and demonstrating what healthy listening and speaking looks like, students are forthcoming about their understanding of the world in which we live. This coupled with  the analysis of the subject matter, aides Ms. Spiewak in promoting reflection and responsibility, information evaluation and collection, as well as critical thinking. 

Most of all, Ms. Spiewak wants her students to see the inter-connectivity between all disciplines. The skills learned in English class most definitely apply to all aspects of life. We are not to compartmentalize subjects, but, rather, see how they relate to and support one another; a sentiment that also translates to our relationships with others.