English Language and Literature Department

The English Language and Literature Department has developed a grades 9-12 college preparatory curriculum that focuses on critical reading, literary analysis, and writing. Additionally, students at all grade levels are challenged to improve their fluency in English. We want our students to become better readers, to think critically, to improve their writing both academic and non-academic, to enjoy their classes, and to be fully engaged.

Jan Zagaja

Department Chair, English Language and Literature Teacher
j.zagaja@acsbg.org
  • Honors Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English

  • St. Jerome's College, Waterloo, Canada

  • Master of Arts in English Literature

  • University of Waterloo, Canada

  • Bachelor of Arts in Education

  • University of Western Ontario, London, Canada

  • Post Graduate Studies in Romantic Poetry

  • University of Waterloo, Canada

  • Diploma in Creative Writing

  • Humber College, Toronto, Canada

Jessica Coates

English Language and Literature Teacher / 12th Grade Dean
j.coates@acsbg.org
  • Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

  • Bachelor of Science in English Education

  • Nicholls State University, Louisiana

Chloe Gunn

English Language and Literature Teacher
c.gunn@acsbg.org
  • Master of Teaching, Leadership, and Cultural Competency

  • University of Iowa

  • Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Secondary Education

  • St. Ambrose University

  • Professional Qualification: 5-12 English Language Arts Iowa Standard Teaching License

Amber Hood

English Language and Literature Teacher
a.hood@acsbg.org
  • Master of Education

  • University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas

  • Bachelor of Arts English, Minor in French

  • Lyon College, Arkansas

Kevin Humbert

English Language and Literature Teacher
k.humbert@acsbg.org
  • Doctoral Candidate in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature

  • Master of Arts in Humanities

  • San Francisco State University

  • Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre

  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Ellen Rennard

English Language and Literature Teacher
e.rennard@acsbg.org
  • Master of Arts in English

  • Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont

  • Bachelor of Arts in Independent Studies, American Studies Certificate with Distinction

  • Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey

  • English 7-12 Professional Class IV Certification (lifetime), Missouri, USA

Tim Ward

English Language and Literature Teacher
t.ward@acsbg.org
  • Master of Philosophy in English Language and Literature 1660-1800

  • University of Oxford, UK

  • Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics

  • Postgraduate certificate in Education in English and P.E.

  • University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

  • Bachelor of Arts with Honors in English Language and Literature

  • University of Oxford

Joseph Waugh

English Language and Literature Teacher
j.waugh@acsbg.org
  • Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

  • University of California Riverside

  • Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

  • Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Creative Writing; Film Studies

  • Whittier College in Los Angeles

Liza Escott

English Language and Literature Teacher
l.escott@acsbg.org
  • Masters of Arts: English Literature and Language

  • King's College London

  • Bachelor of Arts: English Literature and Language

  • Minor: Secondary Education

  • Professional Qualification: Professional Educator License, English Grades 7-12

  • Connecticut Board of Education & General Teaching Council for England

Silas Jones

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE TEACHER
s.jones@acsbg.org
  • Master of Arts: English

  • Bachelor of Arts in English Secondary Education

  • The College of New Jersey

  • Professional Certification: Initial Licenses in English from Alaska and New Jersey

Anton Kunayev

English language and literature teacher
a.kunayev@acsbg.org
  • Master of Education, English teacher licensure strand

  • Harvard University

  • Master of Arts: Eurasian studies

  • Harvard University

  • Bachelor of Arts: Еconomics & French Language and Literature

  • Dartmouth College

Michael McGrath

English Language and Literature Teacher
m.mcgrath@acsbg.org
  • Bachelor: English and History

  • University College Cork

  • Higher Diploma Management and Marketing

  • University College Cork

  • Graduate and Postgraduate Certificate in Education

  • University of Nottingham

  • Moreland University

Stephen Morison, Jr.

Dean of Faculty & Student Experience / English Language and Literature Teacher
s.morison@acsbg.org
  • Cert. in School Management and Leadership, Harvard University

  • MFA, University of Montana

  • BA, Wesleyan University

Rehema Allen

Dean of Faculty & Staff Development / English Teacher
r.allen@acsbg.org
  • Bachelor of Arts: English and Political Science

  • University of Rochester

  • Master of Science: Public Management and Policy

  • Carnegie Mellon University

Electives

College Life newspaper, Grades 10-12
Phoenix News newsroom, Grades 9-12