English Department
Mission
The goal of the English Language Arts program is to create literate, thoughtful communicators, capable of controlling language effectively as they negotiate an increasingly complex and information-rich world. Students will refine specific skills and strategies in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing and will use these skills and strategies widely as tools for learning and reflection. Exploring a variety of texts, students will understand and appreciate language and literature as catalysts for deep thought and emotion.
Dana Birdin, Resource Teacher
Phone: 301-388-9966
Courses
| English 9 | TV Production |
| English 10 | Radio |
| English 11 | Journalism - Newspaper |
| English 12 | Yearbook |
| AP English Language and Composition | Theatre 1 and Theatre 2 |
| AP English Literature and Composition | Advanced Acting |
| Stage Design | Directing |
Staff
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Teacher |
Bio |
Courses |
E-mail Address |
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Dana Birdin |
Dana Birdin received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Hampton University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. |
English 10, Honors English 10 & AVID Elective (10th Grade) |
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Tom De Groff |
Thomas DeGroff teaches English 10. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University with Master’s Degree in Underwater Basket Weaving with a minor in Left-Handed Armenian Poets of the 13th Century. He has always rooted for the Yankees despite the social stigma. |
English 10 & Honors English 10 |
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Shelby Flippen |
Ms. Flippen teaches English 12 and Yearbook. She holds a Bachelors of Science in English from Towson University and will begin a master's program within a few years. Ms. Flippen enjoys reading, hiking, and rock climbing. |
English 12
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Yoo Kim-Miles |
Yoo Kim-Miles teaches English 10. She has a BA in English and a M.Ed. in Secondary Education, both from University of Maryland. She enjoys cooking, eating, and spending time with her family. |
English 10 & Honors English 10 |
Yoo_K_Kim-Miles@mcpsmd.org |
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Geordie Keagle
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Samantha Millman |
Samantha Millman teaches 9th and 11th grade English. This is her 9th year teaching. She has a BS in English Literature and a Masters degree in Education from Frostburg State University. Coaches Swimming and is the SGA Sponsor. Loves Disney, snow, and movies! |
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Samantha_A_Millman@mcpsmd.org |
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Elizabeth Dodds |
Elizabeth Dodds teaches English 10. She has a BA in English from Messiah College in PA and a M.Ed. in Secondary Education from the University of Maryland. She is happily married and a proud mother to her toddler son. Additionally, she is a competitive runner and one day hopes to run the Boston Marathon |
English 10
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Amber Perkins |
Amber Clair Perkins started teaching at Paint Branch in 2004. She has taught every grade level in English and teaches all of the Theatre classes. Miss Perkins graduated from Point Park University with a BA in Theatre Arts and completed her Master of Theatre Production and Design at Southern Oregon University in July of 2015. Miss Perkins directs Paint Branch Perspectives, the school’s drama club, coaches the Forensics Team (Public Speaking, not CSI), and is a member of the Maryland Thespian Board of Directors. She hopes to finish her teaching career here at Paint Branch! |
Theatre & Honors English 9 |
Amber_C_Perkins@mcpsmd.org |
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Kathy Pettigrew |
Kathy Pettigrew graduated from York College of PA in 19… with a degree in Secondary Education and attended the University of Maryland CP to study Curriculum and Instruction. She loves Start Trek in any way, shape, or form and reads as much as she possibly can in between karaoke and playing Mah Jongg. The only school she’s ever taught at is Paint Branch, and she hopes it stays that way. |
English 11 & Honors English 11 |
Kathy_L_Pettigrew@mcpsmd.org |
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Cambrian Powell |
Degrees in English and Secondary Education, both from University of Maryland College Park; lived in 5 different states and attended three different high schools; have been teaching since August 1999; have taught every grade in high school and 6th grade in middle school; am currently teaching AP Lang and 12; have 2 boys that keep me on my toes! |
AP Language, English 12
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Cambrian_L_Powell@mcpsmd.org |
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Kelley Hill |
Ms. Hill teaches English 11 and 12. Originally from Pennsylvania, she got her B.A in Secondary English Education with a minor in English from Penn State and her Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration from George Washington University. She loves animals, food, the water, and Penn State football. |
English 11 & 12 |
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Karl Schiffgens |
Mr. Schiffgens teaches English 9. He earned his undergraduate degree from Providence and has done his post-graduate work at Bowie State University and Johns Hopkins University. |
English 9 |
Karl_R_Schiffgens@mcpsmd.org |
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Brian Woodward |
Brian Woodward, who has been teaching at Paint Branch since 2002, teaches English 9, Journalism and Advanced Journalism. A native of Massachusetts, Mr. Woodward enjoys following the championship exploits of his hometown teams as well as spending time with his family, traveling, and playing hockey. |
Journalism & English 9 |
Brian_Woodward@mcpsmd.org |