Mrs Garrett

I have been working in public schools since 1994. I started as an instructional aide in a special ed (RSP) English class, then moved to the challenging world of substitute teaching. For the past 20 years, I have taught all levels of high school English, grades 9-12, as a full time classroom teacher, most recently 12th grade (including special education) and Advanced Placement Literature and Composition.

My style is eclectic, as I vary my approach based on the personality and needs of my class. I believe in fostering critical literacy through direct instruction, collaborative learning, and formative assessment.

I am a fellow of the South Basin Writing Project and an "experimental" teacher for the UCI Writing Project Pathway Grant Program.

I earned my single-subject credential in English, with an authorization to teach second-language learners, way back in 1999. In 2001, I earned a Master's degree in English, with an emphasis in 19th Century British Literature. In 2006, I became a fellow of the South Basin Writing Project through their Invitational Institute. From 2012-2014 I participated as an "experimental" teacher with UCI's Writing Project's Pathway Program. At that time, I also began exploring the implementation of formative assessment, aligned with the research of Popham. I have also worked as a reader for the AP Literature & Composition exam for the past 3 years.

I live in Orange County, CA, with my husband, two (extremely) energetic sons, and a giant black dog.