We both have experience teaching English (including general-level classes at grades 9-12, remediation courses, collaborative classes, creative writing, and upper-level courses such as Dual Enrollment and AP Literature). We were both Instructional Technology Resource Teachers and worked extensively on the integration of technology into classroom instruction.
Both of us value student-centered teaching where the teacher functions as a facilitator of learning. Technology is important to us when it gives students agency and helps to support a growth mindset. We have increasingly valued student voice, choice, and empowerment; young adult literature; and inquiry learning.
A joy that we had as a team is the establishment of a nontraditional English course, Foundations for the Future. This course gave us a place to try out individualized, student-centered learning focusing on the students' passions and interests. We worked to integrate STEM tools and technology in a way that complements the strengths of the students.
Jen attended Bridgewater College and earned her Masters in English at JMU. Ashley attended Furman University and got her Masters in Education at Georgetown College.
Jen was born in West Virginia and has lived and worked in the Virginia for the duration of her teaching career, which she started in 2000. Ashley was born in Georgia and began teaching in 2004 in South Carolina; she then taught in Japan and Kentucky before moving to Virginia, where she met and taught with Jen. Now, she has her own podcast producing and editing company. Both are co-hosts on Unabridged Podcast, available to listen to on iTunes and other podcast applications. Find the podcast on Facebook and Instagram at the handle @unabridgedpod .
4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Homeschool
English Language Arts, Creative Writing, Reading, Other (ELA), For All Subject Areas, Literature, Writing, Informational Text, Close Reading