English  
   
 
 
   Teacher - Allison Bennett
Allison Bennett - Teacher at PHS

Contact Info:  E-mail: BennettA@psd401.net
 
   Teacher - Mike Blair


Masters of English: 1994, Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas (That’s where Lieutenant Dunbar leaves from in the film “Dances With Wolves”)

Bachelor of Science – Sociology: 1979, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon (Go Ducks!)

 

National Board Certified

Teaching Experience: When I started teaching the boards in the front of the room were dark green and the trays were filled with chalk dust; the conscientious student completed papers using a Smith Corona electric typewriter; the student wishing to stealthily communicate with a peer folded the notebook paper six times so it was small enough to slip between palms; showing a film in class meant having to filter out the clack of the movie projector; carrying a backpack involved a weekend hiking activity; history students questioned the wisdom of a war and how an actor could become President while English students wrote about rising gas prices and the wisdom of Atticus Finch.

This is my 3rd year at PHS, prior to that I lived a commuter’s life, traveling between the peninsula and University Place. Here I probe the depths of literature, writing and life in general with sophomores and seniors.

Contact Info: E-mail: BlairM@psd401.net
AP English: Syllabus

Mike Blair - Teacher at PHS
 
   Teacher - McCall Cowley
Contact Info:  E-mail: CowleyM@psd401.net
 
   Teacher - Judy Cromett
Contact Info: E-mail: CromettJ@psd401.net

 

 
   Teacher - Elizabeth Duffey
Elizabeth Duffey - Teacher at PHS Elizabeth Duffey has taught English for thirty-four years, and currently teaches AP* Language, Tenth Grade Springboard English, and serves as an instructional coach at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, Washington. After her day-job, she teaches English 101 at Tacoma Community College. She is a National Board Certified teacher in Adolescent and Young Adult English Language Arts since 2002, an AP* language reader and consultant for the College Board*, and facilitates Professional Certification and National Board cohort groups for teachers in her district.

In addition to teaching Elizabeth reads, knits, quilts, cooks, and has found yet another new and expensive hobby—beading. Educationally she is most interested in researching and sharing effective classroom strategies that take students to higher levels of thinking and performance. She lives in Gig Harbor with her husband Patrick, an art teacher at Henderson Bay High School. Their children, Tim and Katie, are proud Cougars at Washington State University.


Contact Info:  E-mail: DuffeyE@psd401.net
 
   Teacher - Janice Johansen

Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary’s College (South Bend, IN), 1980
Double Major: English Literature and Humanistic Studies
4-12 Teaching Certificate
Endorsements: English and Social Studies
 

Contact Info: E-mail: JohansenJA@psd401.net

Janice Johansen - Teacher at PHS
 
   Teacher - Andrea Kurtz
Andrea Kurtz - Teacher at PHS Education:
M.A. in Teaching, Arizona State University, University of Puget Sound -1992
B.M. in Voice Performance, University of Puget Sound - 1989

Endorsements: English and Choral Music, grades 4-12

Teaching Experience:
Puyallup School District, Elementary and Junior High Music
Waldorf School, Music
Peninsula School District, English and Choral Music

I am beginning my eleventh year at PHS. I have taught 9th and 10th grade English, Humanities, Bible as Literature, World History, and Choral Music. I have been involved with scoring the WASL 10th grade writing for the past six years and currently serve as Scoring Supervisor for the project.


Contact Info:  E-mail: KurtzA@psd401.net
 
   Teacher - Kimberly Marinelli

Masters in Education: California Lutheran University - 2002
BA: California Lutheran University - Communication Arts – 1998

Endorsement: English

Teaching experience: Taught 7th and 8th grade and GATE (gifted and talented education) in California for four years.

This is my 4th year at PHS; I have taught 9th and 10th grade English, 11th grade American Studies, and two 12th grade electives: Science fiction and the Bible as literature. I am also involved with the Puget Sound Writing Project.
 

Contact Info: E-mail: MarinelliK@psd401.net

Kimberly Marinelli - Teacher at PHS
 
   Teacher - Bernadette Peterson
Bernadette Peterson - Teacher at PHS

Contact Info:  E-mail: PetersonB@psd401.net
 
   Teacher - Linda Richards


Education:
BA in Liberal Studies, San Diego State University
                  Literary Fiction Writing, UW Extension

Experience: Cedar Heights Junior High School, Language Arts and Spanish
                    Lighthouse Christian School, Spanish Specialist
                    St. Nicholas Catholic School, Spanish Specialist

Currently I am teaching SpringBoard Level V for sophomore English; Advanced Placement Language and Composition, and Creative Writing. I have been teaching at Peninsula for 3 years. I am also a SpringBoard trainer.

I love language and words. Words are very powerful and transcend time. I am excited when students see the value of a well-placed word, and encourage self-exploration in choosing words carefully. I am also very involved in the Summer Reading program and the advisor for the school Literary Magazine, The Phoenix.

I grew up in Gig Harbor and am happy to raise my three children here. It is a treat to teach at the same school I graduated from; and I hope to give back to the community that gave so much to me.

Contact Info: E-mail: RichardsL@psd401.net

Website: Sophomore English, Junior AP Lang/Composition, Creative Writing,
AP Syllabus 08-09, Creative Writing Syllabus, English 10 Syllabus 08-09

Linda Richards - Teacher at PHS