With 29+ years of classroom experience, I have taught the following:

a. 9th-grade English
b. 10th-grade English
c. 11th-grade English
d. Journalism
e. prep class for juniors, seniors, and transfer students who did not take or did not pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)
f. team taught with an RSP teacher
g. Leadership program

I have also served on several district committees:

a. planning/creating our district's senior project
b. tech committee during virtual school
c. ELA committee
d. textbook adoption committee (two times)

I have also been tutoring since 2017: English, SAT prep, college essays, writing, reading comprehension, and college essays.

LTL-BERTIOH1

Each class needs to experience humor and joy in order to learn, engage in class discussions, present to their peers, and grow as writers and critical thinkers. Students give both formal and informal presentations which enable them to demonstrate their skills in all four ELA strands.

When writing essays, we go step-by-step through the process: breaking down the prompt, brainstorming, outline, selecting evidence, MLA format for citing contextual evidence, etc.

The start of each class is dedicated to an emotional check-in, but students only share if they want to share.

I don't call on kids to read novels out loud any more. We listen to books on Audible, and we frequently stop to analyze, discuss, and predict.

I am also a fan of grammar, syntax, and punctuation (GSP). Both parents were immigrants, and I taught at an adult ESL school. In so many countries, people learn English as a 2nd or 3rd language. They arrive here with an understanding of English because of their lessons in GSP.

Crystal Apple Award

BA in Journalism and English
Single Subject Teaching Credential, English
Supplemental Authorization, Health
MEd Instructional Technology

Plot & Punctuation offers practical, engaging, classroom-ready resources designed to strengthen students’ English language arts skills and build confidence in reading, writing, and critical thinking. Created by an experienced high school English teacher, our materials break down complex concepts into manageable, easy-to-follow lessons and activities that support a range of learners.

From literary analysis, reading comprehension, and vocabulary to essay writing, grammar, argumentation, and evidence-based reasoning, each resource emphasizes clear instruction, meaningful practice, and skills students can apply independently.

Whether you’re teaching middle school or high school, supporting struggling learners, or looking for fresh ways to reinforce essential ELA concepts, Plot & Punctuation provides practical tools that make teaching more effective and learning more accessible.

Build skills. Strengthen understanding. Help students become confident readers, writers, and thinkers.