Taft Union High School

Welcome to the TUHS English Department, where our mission is to cultivate a deep-seated appreciation for language and literature while equipping students with the essential tools for academic excellence. As a team of caring and reflective educators, we pride ourselves on being lifelong learners who are deeply committed to the personal and intellectual growth of every student who enters our classrooms. We take a proactive approach to our pedagogy, continuously assessing and refining our curriculum to ensure it remains relevant, rigorous, and representative of a premier English Language Arts education. Our instructional framework is built on a solid foundation of consistent writing practice using the Jane Schaffer essay format structure, systematic note-taking, grammar and conventions instruction, and deep rhetorical analysis, providing students with the critical thinking skills necessary for success in higher education and beyond. Central to our philosophy is a robust focus on independent reading and reading comprehension, as we believe that fostering a personal connection with books is the key to developing insightful, empathetic, and sophisticated communicators. By blending traditional literacy skills with innovative, student-centered strategies, we strive to empower our students to find their voices and navigate the world with confidence and clarity.

Department Head: Sarah Long – AVID / English Teacher
Alan Popejoy
Chasadee Sims – OTA Teacher
Jacquelyn White
Kelly Morris
Lisa Borrecco – OTA Teacher
Stacey Lackey
Victoria Schooler

ELD Team:
Joanie Sahagun – ELD
Jessica Wooley – ELD
Matthew Davis – ELD