Welcome

Welcome to Mrs. Gross' and Ms. Sauder's 2009-2010 English 1AA Blog! Both Mrs. Gross and I, Ms. Sauder, are looking forward to using this new forum of communication and we encourage both students and parents also to use it to the fullest extent of its capabilities!

About Ms. Sauder:

Ms. Sauder is an English education major at Illinois State University who will be completing her degree by student teaching under the supervision of Mrs. Gross. She will begin teaching Mrs. Gross' Contemporary Literature course in September and will continue teaching the course until her graduation in December 2009. Eventually she will also begin teaching in English 1A and in English 1AA.

Before attending ISU, Ms. Sauder attended Illinois Central College where she received her Associates Degree. She attended high school at Washington Community High School. She will have graduated with honors from all three locations once she graduates from ISU.

Outside of the world of academics, Ms. Sauder enjoys reading and spending time with her family and friends. She is engaged to get married this fall and is very excited to start her own family.

About Mrs. Gross:

I am excited to begin my tenth year teaching English at Pekin Community High School! This semester my schedule includes English 1AA, Contemporary Literature, and English 1A. I consider it a honorable opportunity to help the freshman grow into skilled and mature students ready to tackle the halls and classrooms of PCHS and to experience the seniors' emotions of excitement, hope, and pride as they anticipate graduating and beginning a new chapter in their lives.

Certification: National Board Teacher in English/Language Arts for Young Adults and Adolescents
Graduate study: St. Xavier University, Masters in Teaching and Leadership
Undergraduate study: Illinois State University, Speech Communication & English

Like most English teachers, I enjoy reading, but my favorite out of school activity is playing with my two-year-old daughter Kaleigh and spending time with my husband, who is also an English teacher at PCHS. (We do a lot of reading and writing at our house!) I also teach a dance class and an intense cardio class at the RiverPlex in Peoria.