SLRHS ELA Department

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Bill McStowe English / Creative Writing wmcstowe@slrsd.org

A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read -Mark Twain

Teaches: Freshmen, Creative Writing Loves: my family Favorite Book: Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Meaghan Rabinovitch English mrabinovitch@slrsd.org

"In a world where you can be anything, be kind!" - I didn't write this, but they are words I like to live my life by!

Teaches: English II and English IV Loves: Cooking, reading, and hanging out with my family! Favorite Book: Way too many to list, but a book that really opened my eyes and stuck with me was White Teeth, by Zadie Smith

Kelly Griffin English kellygriffin@slrsd.org

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”- Maya Angelou&nbsp;

Teaches: English grades 9, 10, and 12 CP Loves: Gardening, Animals, Hiking, Soccer, Reading, my cat Bailey! Favorite Book: The Secret Life of Bees by Monk Kidd

Nicole Afanasiw Department Coordinator nafanasiw@slrsd.org

Let's work together, Lakers, to meet challenges&nbsp;with patience and grace. I believe in YOU!&nbsp;

Teaches: English IV Loves: reading, the beach, the mountains, teaching, and spending time with my family Favorite Book: Wow, that's a tough one! I love so many, but I'll go with a tie:The Handmaid's Tale&nbsp;by Margaret Atwood, or the&nbsp;Outlander&nbsp;series by Diana Gabaldon.

Elissa Dennis English edennis@slrsd.org

Keep working hard and proving how awesome you are!

Teaches: Freshmen and Junior English classes Loves: Animals, reading in a hammock, telling embarrassing stories about myself Favorite Book: Anything&nbsp;that gives me perspectives into other places, times, and people. Whatever I'm reading right now is my favorite.

Jess Cahill-McStowe English jcahill@slrsd.org

I want all my students to know that you will always have a home at The Lake!

Teaches: English II, English IV, and Film Studies Loves: I love teaching!!! I also love being outdoors in the&nbsp;garden and hanging out with my chickens. And obviously, I love Mr. McStowe and our kiddos Favorite Book: Les Miserables!!! Hugo is a revolutionary

“Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created and recreated by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror. Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience. Reading, then, becomes a means of self-affirmation, and readers often seek their mirrors in books." ~Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop

Ashley Ferrara English aferrara@slrsd.org

I wish the Laker student body the ability to tackle this year with patience, persistence, and kindness.&nbsp;

Teaches: Honors Freshmen English, AP Literature and Composition, and Happiness and the Good Life Loves: I love donuts Favorite Book: Breath by James Nestor

Kate Leontie English kleontie@slrsd.org

Teaches: English I, English II and AP Language and Composition Loves: Snowboarding Favorite Book: The Alchemist

I'd like to wish the Laker student body a safe enlightening school year.

Kim Orcutt English korcutt@slrsd.org

&nbsp;My motto for this year is "Always believe in the power of good" -- it's hokey, but it's my mantra as we try to get through the chaos of the world.&nbsp;

Teaches: English III and English IV Loves: Campfires, coffee, and being outdoors Favorite Book: I don't know if I could ever choose a favorite book, but&nbsp;The Perks of Being a Wallflower,&nbsp;Slaughterhouse-Five&nbsp;are two that I could read over and over again!

Stephanie Ricci English sricci@slrsd.org

People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously-&nbsp;Eleanor Roosevelt

Teaches: &nbsp;English II and AP English Language and Composition Loves: time with my family and friends, reading, the Lake! Favorite Book: Depends on my mood, but some faves are&nbsp;People of the Book&nbsp;by Geraldine Brooks,&nbsp;Just Mercy&nbsp;by Bryan Stevenson, and&nbsp;Fahrenheit 451&nbsp;by Ray Bradbury

Riley Finn English rileyfinn@slrsd.org

Teaches: English II and English III Loves: Favorite Book:

Heather Bates English / Shakespeare hbates@slrsd.org

“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” (William Shakespeare)

Teaches: English &amp; Shakespeare classes (seniors &amp; sophomores) Loves: I love theatre arts, sports (especially basketball), reading, running, and spending time&nbsp;with family. Favorite Book: ThePillars of the Earth&nbsp;by Ken Follett&nbsp;

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