2020 | UMSL
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Lydia Harold, GWP 2020 Liaison
I am a substitute teacher and graduate student at UMSL. I am passionate about helping students of color express themselves through their writing. English is a hardly liked subject and I take pride in helping students reach their full potential. Students of color get pushed through the system a lot without properly being taught sometimes. GWP has taught me about different methods and resources I can use to assist me with these goals.
Email
Phone Number
 lydiaharold314@gmail.com
 (314) 898 - 2883
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
Graduate Student, UMSL & Substitute Teacher Ferguson-Florissant/Hazelwood
Certification(s)
9 - 12 English, Creative Writing, Professional Writing
Willing to Provide Mentoring and/or Professional Development in the Area(s) of:
Writer's Workshop, Argument Writing, Assessment, Digital Writing, Portfolios, Poetry, Narrative Writing, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Teaching With Mentor Texts

 

Barb Thoenen, GWP 2020 Teacher Consultant
As an avid reader and an amateur writer, I enjoyed taking the Gateway Summer Program to hone my writing skills and learn new online tools. The professional feedback gained from the other students was outstanding. Tracy Brosch and Souix Roslawski teamed up to make learning interesting and doable with a lot of fun thrown in the mix. A perfect summer course offering hands on projects, shared ideas and a great way to complete my Masters in English.
Email
Phone Number
 barbjperry1@gmail.com
 (636) 432 - 2654
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
Retired
Willing to Provide Mentoring and/or Professional Development in the Area(s) of:
Writer's Workshop, Informational Writing, Narrative Writing

 

Melanie Flynn, GWP 2020 Techer Consultant
My name is Melanie, and I have over twenty years of experience, primarily in the field of reading and literacy. I am currently teaching middle school ELA and have learned so much in GWP. Most of my experiences have focused on reading and reading response. I plan to implement many of the skills and strategies learned in GWP. I am happy to help with reading instruction, assessment, and classroom management. My goal is to empower my students and create a nurturing, warm "safe place" for my students.
Email
Phone Number
 melflynn40@gmail.com
 (314) 302 - 3110
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
 Hazelwood School District, Southeast Middle School, 7th ELA
Certification(s)
Elementary Education, 1-6/Special Reading, K-12/Library Media Specialist, K-12/Language Arts, 5-9
Willing to Provide Mentoring and/or Professional Development in the Area(s) of:
Cross-Content Literacy, Assessment, Portfolios, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Teaching Language in Context

 

Heather Black, GWP 2020 Teahcer Consultant
I came to teaching as a second career, and it was the best decision I ever made. I love teaching and I absolutely love high school students. I prioritize relationships and community in my classroom, which is packed with comfy chairs and encourages small-group, collaborative work. I attended the summer institute to reinvigorate my teaching of writing and I left feeling both inspired and energized for the upcoming school year, with a multitude of new ideas, fun activities, diverse texts, and wonderful strategies to help my students learn and grow as people and as writers.
Email
hblack@farmington.k12.mo.us
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
Farmington R-7 Senior Hish School, 10th & 11th ELA
Certification(s)
Secondary English
Course(s) Taught
ELA 2 (World Literature); ELA 3 (American Literature)

 

Hannah Rettig, GWP 2020 Teacher Consultant
As a new teacher with only two years of classroom experience, I try to find as many different ways to successfully teach writing as possible. Being a part of the Gateway Writing Project has allowed me to become a stronger writer myself and collaborate with other teachers of writing. Through the work this summer I have gained a new sense of confidence in teaching writing. I will forever be grateful for the wonderful group of colleagues that I worked with. I look forward to using the many incredible resources I have found through GWP for my students for many years to come.
Email
 hannrett@gmail.com
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
St. Louis Archdiocese, Ste. Genevieve du Bois Middle School English and Literature
Certification(s)
Secondary English
Course(s) Taught
English 6-8, Reading 6-8, American History 8
Willing to Provide Mentoring and/or Professional Development in the Area(s) of:
Writer's Workshop, Cross-Content Literacy, Building Writing Communities

 

Samantha Myer, GWP 2020 Teacher Consultant
 
I am a second career high school English teacehr who loves teaching freshman and seniors.  I am currently working on my Masters of Curriculum and Instruction, Teaching in Writing certification, and ADP certification.  I have always wanted to particpate in the GWP and I am so happy that I finally did!  It was a terrific experience and as a perpetual learner it was great to find a community that inspired me to bring my love of writing into my classroom.  GWP provided a welcoming space for everyone to share and learn from each other and now I have a notebook full of ideas to bring into my classroom.  I can't wait to create writing communities with my students and help them experience the same thing I did with thtis program.
Email
samyer1s@gmail.com
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
 University City High School, 9th & 12th ELA
Certification(s)
ELA Middle School and Secondary; IIRP Leadership Academy, Buck Institute PBL
Course(s) Taught
Literature and Composition 1, World Literature, Honors Lit & Comp 1, Academic Literacy, ACT Prep
Willing to Provide Mentoring and/or Professional Development in the Area(s) of:
Assessment, Narrative Writing, Culturally Responsive Teaching

 

Shea Kerkhoff, GWP 2020 Teacher Consultant
I am an assistant professor of literacy education at University of Missouri - St. Louis. Before moving to St. Louis, I taught English in NC and DC. My co-authored book Read, Write, Inquire: Disciplinary Literacy in Grades 6-12 was published this year by Teachers College Press. I am passionate about literacy education in St. Louis and around the world.
Email
Phone Number
kerkhoffs@umsl.edu
 (314) 516 - 6820
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
 University of Missouri - St. Louis, College of Education, Assistant Professor of Literacy
Certification(s)
5-12 English, K-12 literacy
Course(s) Taught
Content Area Reading, Disciplinary Literacy, Inquiry as Learning, English 9, 10, 11, 12; Creative Writing; First Year Composition; Yearbook; Young Adult Literature
Willing to Provide Mentoring and/or Professional Development in the Area(s) of:
Writer's Workshop, Cross-Content Literacy, Argument Writing, Assessment, Digital Writing, Portfolios, Informational Writing, Narrative Writing, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Building Writing Communities, Teaching With Mentor Texts, Teacher Inquiry, Teaching Language in Context, Reading, Anti-bias training

 

Ben Vessa, GWP 2020 Teacher Consultant
 
After 21 years as a middle and high school English teacher, I have transitioned into the journalism field as sports reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Staying connected to the education field in the form of teacher training provides an opportunity to share with educators lessons that worked, the strategies acquired through the Gateway Writing Project, and the media skills gained as a working journalist.
Email
Phone Number
 bvessa9@gmail.com
 (314) 707 - 3147
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
Consultant
Certification(s)
National Board Certification - Adolescent Language and Literature
Course(s) Taught
Served 21 years as an English/Language Arts Teacher for both middle and high school in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida and Indiana
Willing to Provide Mentoring and/or Professional Development in the Area(s) of:
Writer's Workshop, Argument Writing, Digital Writing, Informational Writing, Narrative Writing, Building Writing Communities

 

Bradford Nadziejko , GWP 2020 Teacher Consultant
 
I've taught college students to think critically and write effectively for a variety of audiences in all levels of composition for over 15 years. The GWP challenged me and had me examine my own writing and academic voice in ways that I had not previously.
Email
Phone Number
bradford.nadziejko@swic.edu
 (618) 641 - 4964 
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
Southwestern Illinois College, Professor of English
Course(s) Taught
Developmental English, rhetoric and composition I & II, creative writing, comics and graphic novels, children’s lit
Willing to Provide Mentoring and/or Professional Development in the Area(s) of:

Writer's Workshop, Assessment, Portfolios, Writing Placement

 

Anoa Alimayu, GWP 2020 Teacher Consultant
Anoa Alimayu is a second year teacher who is constantly reflecting on her craft and learning new and more effective ways to be more impactful as a teacher. She views the communication arts as a way to help students connect not only with academia but also with the world around them. During the SI she learned so many new strategies that have propelled her teaching. Her time at the 2020 GWP SI was so impactful that she has decided to complete an action research project to build knowledge on how to teach literary analysis. In addition to her continuing work in the field of education, she is also writing her first novel for YA readers. For her, writing is more than just telling a story, it is another way she feels that she can share her love of writing with students. For a glimpse into some of her curriculum and her writing, check out her work at anoaalimayu.com; the website opens the 1st of August, 2020.
Email
Phone Number
 anoaalimayu@gmail.com
 (314) 449 - 4182
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
St. Louis Public Schools, Sumner High School, 9 - 10 English
Certification(s)
Masters of Education
Course(s) Taught
English 1
Willing to Provide Mentoring and/or Professional Development in the Area(s) of:
Writer's Workshop, Argument Writing, Digital Writing, Portfolios, Poetry, Narrative Writing, Teaching With Mentor Texts

 

Gina Sandifer, GWP 2020 Teacher Consultant
The Gateway Writing Project was an inspiring event which invigorated not only my teaching, but my personal writing. Throughout the time spent together, we as a class built a true community of writers, colleagues, and friends. Many valuable ideas were shared, constructive feedback was given, and friendships beyond the classroom were formed. GWP is a class where everyone leaves feeling fulfilled and energized!
Email
sandiferg@foxc6.org
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
Fox C-6 High School, 11 & 12 English
Certification(s)
Secondary English
Course(s) Taught
AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, Language Arts III; College Prep IV; Pre-AP I

 

Kristi Walsh, GWP 2020 Teacher Consultant
Kristi Walsh finished her MAT in 2016 and is currently working on her MA in English at UMSL. She is excited to go back to school armed with new information and ideas she has learned from all of her GWP colleagues!
Email
kwalsh@bishopdubourg.org
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
Archdiocese of St. Louis, Bishop DuBourg High School, 9 - 11 English & Theatre
Certification(s)
Secondary Language Arts, Speech and Theatre
Course(s) Taught
Freshmen English I, Sophomore World Literature, Junior American Literature, Freshman Study Skills
Willing to Provide Mentoring and/or Professional Development in the Area(s) of:
Cross-Content Literacy, Narrative Writing, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Teaching With Mentor Texts

 

Kemba Logan Metropoulos, GWP 2020 Teacher Consultant
The Gateway Writing Project transformed how I teach writing as well as making writing a priority in my personal life. The experience strengthened my writing muscles and provided new insight into how I can help my students connect with each other as well as themselves through their writing. My summer experience also gave me that je ne sais quoi I'd been looking for to inspire me. Writing is not just about reflection, it is about intention and expression. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then writing is the voice to the soul. As an English teacher, it is such a privilege to help each student find their voice and use it.
Email
Phone Number
kmetropoulos@parkwayschools.net 
 (314)  650 - 1907
Current District/University Affiliation, Position, and Levels
 Parkway School District Central High School, 9th & 12th ELA
Certification(s)
English 9-12, Social Studies 9-12, Speech and Drama 9-12
Course(s) Taught
English I (Freshmen Survey Course), Senior Composition (ACP Equivalent to First Year College Writing), African American Literature, American Literature, Public Speaking
Willing to Provide Mentoring and/or Professional Development in the Area(s) of:
Writer's Workshop, Cross-Content Literacy, Poetry, Narrative Writing, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Building Writing Communities, Teaching With Mentor Texts, Teacher Inquiry, Selecting and Teaching Multicultural Texts, Implementing Book Clubs, Implementing Choice Reading, Inclusive Curriculum Writing