The English Department

Mission Statement

The Falls Church High School English Department will develop and encourage independent learners who demonstrate analytical and critical thinking skills in a standards based classroom that focuses on essential knowledge. We will foster mastery and fluency of Standard English communication through a variety of literature and its appreciation.

 

Homework is an important part of the learning process, and as such, the English Department believes in assigning regular, meaningful homework to reinforce skills and material from class as well as to prepare for future classes. Homework generally takes the form of the following:
1. Active reading
2. Practice with vocabulary
3. Long-term essays / compositions
Students should be familiar with the county’s and their teachers’ policy regarding turning in late work.

 

2005-06 Literary Magazine "Aquature" 

 

 

Faculty Members

Medina Jones  Department Chair
English 10, English 10 Honors
School Plan Chairperson
AVID
Methodist College
University of North Carolina - Wilmington
University of Phoenix
Phone: 703-207-4121

 

Rachel Altomare
English 9 & English 10
English 10 Team Leader
STAR
West Chester University
Phone: 703-207-2490

 

Sean Ramey
English 10, Theatre 1, 2, 3, & 4,
Broadcast Journalism, Technical Theatre
FCHS Theatre Director/Teacher
Broadcast Journalism Instructor
Drama Club & Thespians Sponsor
FCHS News Liaison
TADA HS Vice-President
Phone: 703-207-4059

 

Phyllis Blount
English 12
English 12 Team Leader
Hampton University
Bridgewater State University of
M
assachusetts
St. Louis University
West Chester University
Phone: 703-207-4275

 

Joseph Draper
English 10 & English 11
Special Education Team Leader
SADD Sponsor
University of Virginia
George Mason University
Phone: 703-207-4189

 

Susanna Emerson
English 10 & English 11
AVID Core Teacher
Literary Magazine Sponsor
Head Cheerleading Coach
The College of William & Mary
Phone: 703-207-4272
 

Kathleen Gannon Tye
English 9 & Basic Skills
Lynchburg College
George Mason University
Phone: 703-207-4189

 

Kimberly Grant
English 11
Assistant Special Education
Department Chair
Florida International University
Phone: 703-207-4189

 

Sue Halton
Developing Literacies & Expanding Literacies
Sienna College
Tufts University
Phone: 703-207-4206

Richard Hart
English 12 
Phone: 703-207-4055

Katie Ingwersen
English 10 Honors, Journalism 1, 2, 3, & 4
Jagwire Advisor
Grinnell College
University of Illinois at Chicago
Marymount University
Phone: 703-207-4250

 

Jessica Kim
English 9
Freshmen Class Co-Sponsor
Key Club Sponsor
University of Virginia
George Mason University
Phone: 703-207-3120

 

Rebecca Megill
English 9 & English 9 Honors
English 9 Team Leader
AVID
Great Beginnings program
University of Pittsburgh
Phone: 703-207-4274
 

Patrick Mohan
English 11
English 11 Co-Team Leader
AVID
Providence College
Brooklyn College
Phone: 703-207-4276  

Jan Napoliello
English 12, English 12 AP, & Speech & Debate
National Honor Society Advisor
Phone: 703-207-4184

Ann Pegram
Transitional English 9 & English 9
Co-Sponsor Legacy club
Norfolk State University
George Mason University
Phone: 703-207-4277  

Kimberly Torpey
English 9 Honors, English 10, & AVID Senior Seminar
AVID Core Teacher
University of Mary Washington
Phone: 703-207-3040

Robert Wooldridge
English 11 AP, Reasoning Skills
Phone: 703-207-4267  

Phillip Yarborough
English 11 & English 12
English 11 Co-Team Leader
STAR
SCA Advisor
Phone: 703-207-4262

 

 

Resources

Writing prompts for VA colleges 

Plagiarism Policy 

Falls Church Library 

Fairfax County Public Library 

Virginia English Standards of Learning 

Fairfax County Public Schools Webpage 

 

Free SAT Preparation websites 

www.freevocabulary.com 

www.number2.com 

www.powerprep.com/checkpoint.htm 

www.collegeapps.about.com/cs/satpreparation/