Language Arts
Bernadette Ricciardelli
Director of Humanities
M.Ed. Organization Management, Endicott College
M.A. Political Science, Northeastern University
B.S. Political Science, Northeastern University
bricciardelli@medford.k12.ma.us
781-393-9016
- Medford High School Staff
- Vocational School Staff
- Andrews Middle School Staff
- McGlynn Middle School Staff
- Mission
- Essential ELA Learnings
- Research Paper Guidelines for MHS Students
2009-2010 ELA Staff
David Ambrose
English 10, English 11
M.Ed. University of Massachusetts Amherst
B.A. English and Journalism, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Advisorships/Extracurricular Activities: Blue and White Yearbook
Course Website Features, Updates, and Assignments: www.misterambrose.com
dambrose@medford.k12.ma.us
Rosemary Beagan
English 12, MCAS English
M.A. Boston College
B.S. Boston College
rbeagan@medford.k12.ma.us
David Blauch
English 10, English 12
M.Ed. Salem State College
B.A. & B.S. Boston University
dblauch@medford.k12.ma.us
Douglass Bowen-Flynn
Grade 11 AP Language and Composition
English 10, Mythology
Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts, Harvard University
B.A., Univerity of Puget Sound
dbowenflynn@medford.k12.ma.us
Maria Duffy
English 9, English 10
mduffy@medford.k12.ma.us
Eric Esner
English 9
M.A.T. Simmons College
B.A., English and Creative Writing, New England College
eesner@medford.k12.ma.us
Max Heinegg
B.A. Union College 1995
M.A.T. Boston University 1998
mheinegg@medford.k12.ma.us
Rebekah Kerr
English 9 – 12, MCAS Prep
Medford Vocational Technical High School
B.A. English, UMASS Boston
rkerr@medford.k12.ma.us
Barry Lewis
English 9
M.Ed. Secondary English Laguage Arts, UMASS Boston
B.A. Liberal Arts, Goddard College
blewis@medford.k12.ma.us
Jody Liu
English 9, English 11
M.A.T. Tufts University
B.A. English, Tufts University
Advisor to the Asian Club
Awards/Distinctions: 3 Year Fellowship at Harvard University: World History and Civilizations
Medford High School Alumna
Shawn Morris
smorris@medford.k12.ma.us
Sarah Terranova
English 12, English 11, Writing Workshop
M.Ed. UMASS Boston
B.A. Psychology & English
Advisor to the National Honor Society
sterranova@medford.k12.ma.us
Medford Vocational Technical High School
Jonathan Brown
Rebekah Kerr
Middle School
Enza Boos
Grade 6 English Language Arts and Social Studies
M.Ed. Salem State College
B.S. Journalism, Suffolk University
Awards/Distinctions: Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society
eboos@medford.k12.ma.us
Paul DeMeo
Grade 6 English Language Arts
M.Ed. School Administration, Cambridge College
M.Ed. Special Education, Cambridge College
B.S. English, Northeastern University
Advisorships/Extracurricular Activities: Talent Show Director, Musical Play Director
pdemeo@medford.k12.ma.us
Kate Blanchard
Grade 7 English Language Arts
B.A. English, UMASS Amherst
Advisorships/Extracurriculuar Activities: Talent Show; Choreographer for Spring Musical
kblanchard@medford.k12.ma.us
Nicole Nelson Chiesa
Grade 7 English Language Arts
Merrimack Education Center, Principal Licensure Program
J.D. Suffolk Law School
M.Ed. Salem State College
B.A. English and Internatuional Relations
Advisorships/Extracurricular Activities: Mentoring Program, Gifted and Talented Program
nchiesa@medford.k12.ma.us
Katherine Suffredini
Grade 8 English Language Arts
M.A.T. English, Salem State College
B.A. English, Emmanuel College
ksuffredini@medford.k12.ma.us
Charlene Douglas
Grade 8 English Language Arts
M.S. Ed. Cambridge College
B.S. Ed. Boston State College
cdouglas@medford.k12.ma.us
Jennifer Cotie
Grade 6 English Language Arts
Salem State College
Boston University
Advisorships/Extracurricular Activities: Builders Club
jcotie@medford.k12.ma.us
Michael Cremin IV
Grade 6 English Language Arts
M.Ed. UMASS Boston
B.A. University of Maine
Awards/Distinctions: Awarded National Endowment for the Humanities Great American Books Grant (2007), Awarded Teaching Tolerance Grant (2008)
mcremin@medford.k12.ma.us
Sandra Pistone
Grade 7 English Language Arts
M.A. Lesley College
B.S. Salem State College
spistone@medford.k12.ma.us
Audra Cashin
Grade 7 English Language Arts
acashin@medford.k12.ma.us
Lindsay Repucci
Grade 8 English Language Arts
lrepucci@medford.k12.ma.us
Kristin Boyd
Grade 8 English Language Arts
M.Ed. English Language Arts, Boston University
B.A. English (Writing) & Education, Denison University (Granville, OH)
kboyd@medford.k12.ma.us
Ellen Porter
Reading, Study Skills, Peer Leaders
M.Ed. Salem State College
B.S. Boston State/UMASS Boston
Advisorships/Extracurricular Activities: Mentor Teacher, Peer Leader Mediator
eporter@medford.k12.ma.us
Although the emphasis placed on specific skills varies for each grade and level, the total English program provides continuity in the student’s educational program over four years. The English Department is committed to the presentation of materials and skills acquisition through a broad range of study: research skills, the reading of quality literature; the development of writing skills that ensure an appropriate finished product; spelling and vocabulary development; oral language; listening; grammar and usage, and reasoning. Since writing is a reflection of thinking, students are expected to respond to literature as well as to generate writing from their own ideas. Massachusetts has state Curriculum Frameworks for English /Language Arts. A new emphasis within the state Framework is “speaking and presenting,” areas that are also reflected in the Medford High School English curriculum.
Since the English faculty members believe that written composition is a reflection of a student’s ability to think, writing is assigned regularly, on an average of four times per month and responded to by the teacher in some detail at least twice a month. Writing assignments represent different types and purposes and are geared toward multiple audiences. Length varies from a five-paragraph journal entry to a twenty-page typed critical paper produced over several months. As more and more English teachers utilize “portfolio assessment,” parents can expect to periodically receive portfolios of completed work. The parent is then expected to “respond” in writing to the student.
Every student must take and pass English 9, 10, ll and 12. A double English (e.g., English ll and five additional credits in other English electives) is strongly recommended for all Level III and Level IV students in grades 10, ll and 12. A student cannot progress to another English course without first fulfilling the prerequisite for that course. Therefore, two regular English courses (e.g., English 10 and ll) cannot be taken simultaneously.
The English curriculum at Medford High School was revised to reflect the changes in American and world history. The content of each grade reflects the best of the classics. Important contributions from diverse cultures throughout history and into the twenty first century are also incorporated into the curriculum..
The English Program includes two Advanced Placement courses, an Honors level in each of the four years; and in-class computer clusters. English/Language Arts electives include: (l) Writing Workshop I and II (which is strongly recommended for all students prior to entering (Grade 12); (2) Communication Workshop (Grade 9); (3) MCAS English Review (Grades 10 and 12); (4) Mythology (Grades 9 -12); (5) Public Communications (Grades 10-12); (6) Verbal SAT Prep (grades 10-11); Journalism, (9-12), and Yearbook (9-12).
Medford High School has a strict homework policy. A research paper requirement is also expected within every department. The English curriculum supports both. Teacher feedback will be offered throughout each class. The Medford High School English Program holds students to high standards and believes firmly in a meaningful education.
Since the English/Language Arts Program k-12 strongly supports a home-school partnership, parents are urged to seek the advice of guidance counselors (393-2288), English teachers, and/or the Director of Language Arts (393-2131).