Communications/English Department

Courses Offered

AP English Literature
AP Language & Composition
College Prep English I
College Prep English II
The Female Identity in Literature
Great Books
Journalism I
Journalism II - Newspaper or Magazine Concentration
Major British Writers
Speech
Shakespeare’s Major Plays
Writing Nonfiction

Department Philosophy & Goals

The DSHA English Department is committed to preparing students for the reading, writing, and speaking tasks they will face in college and beyond. Our program is primarily focused on fostering a student’s analytical reading and writing skills, as we believe it is these skills which best serve a student in future academic coursework and a multitude of professional endeavors.

Therefore, at DSHA, a student enters into a writing program requiring she complete four credits of coursework in reading and writing instruction. Freshman and sophomore level English courses offer a student the fundamentals of literary analysis, basic writing instruction, and basic grammar review. Junior and senior level courses concentrate on more sophisticated application of concepts. In addition, oral and written communication skills are further developed in electives such as speech, the school newspaper or magazine.

All department members believe in providing a friendly, warm classroom environment where students feel respected and valued. We believe such an environment—when coupled with meaningful instruction and a commitment to excellence—provides a student with the means to discover, hone, and manifest her voice fully.

Faculty

Ms. Ami Bonk
BA in political science, English, Xavier University
Certificate in secondary education, UW-Milwaukee
Teaching at DSHA since 1999

Mr. Tim Grandy
BS in English education, UW-Milwaukee
MA in English, Marquette University
Teaching at DSHA since 1980

Mrs. Joanne Griesbach
BA in English, Marquette University
MA in journalism, Marquette University
Teaching at DSHA since 1999

Mrs. Laura Kahle, DSHA '02, Department Chair
BA in writing - intensive English, Marquette University
MA in secondary education, Providence College
Teaching at DSHA since 2012

Mr. Quinten Loucks, Instructional Technology Coordinator
BS in secondary education, UW-Platteville
Master’s of education in instructional technology, Cardinal Stritch University
Teaching at DSHA since 2007

Mr. Terrence McGinn
BA in English and journalism, UW-Milwaukee
Master’s degree in progress, UW-Milwaukee
Teaching at DSHA since 1978

Mr. Nick Niedermann
BA in English, Marquette University
Teaching at DSHA since 2012

Dr. Melissa Shew
BA in English literature, philosophy, political science,
Miami University of Ohio
MA in philosophy, University of Oregon
PhD in philosophy, University of Oregon
Teaching at DSHA since 2012

4257 North 100th Street · Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53222
Phone: (414) 462-3742 · Fax: (414) 466-0590
Sponsored by the Sisters of the Divine Savior