2. Education/Degrees Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Philosophy – MS Educational Leadership Preliminary Administrative Credential California Lutheran University Clear Single Subject Credential – English Clear Multiple Subject Credential – Elementary BA – Liberal Studies Work Experience Newbury Park High School – English (current) Pepperdine University, MAE Adjunct Professor (2013-current) Options For Youth Charter School, Curriculum Design (2007-2009) Westlake High School - English (2005 – 2007) West Valley Christian High School - English (2000-2005) Trinity Christian Elementary School – 5 th /6 th Grade (1995-2000)

3. Met and began dating at 16 (look around … it could happen to you!) Finished school and married in 1997 Moved to Conejo Valley in 1999 Started a family in 2004 Celebrating 22 years this October!

4. Maddy – 9 years old Sharp as a tack – keeps me on my toes! Elly – 6 years old Attitude for days – keeps me on my toes!

6. BUNGEE JUMPING!!! 18 Stories off a crane over a tiny pool in VEGAS!!!

8. Student Responsibilities: 1.Attend class and be on time. 2.Be prepared to contribute to class discussions by completing all assignments, reading and written, when due. 3.Bring materials to class each day. 4.Successfully complete the course, achieving the highest grade possible for the student. Class Rules: 1.Inappropriate and/or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. This behavior undermines the learning of the student and the class. 2.Honest and personal integrity are expected. 3.Be on time. 4.Bring all materials and required work to class. 5.Be prepared to participate in class activities and discussions. 6.Water is allowed in class, but other food, drink, and snack items are not. 7.Use the restroom on your time whenever possible. Do not abuse the hall pass!

9. Cliff’s Notes Policy (All Supplementary Notes): Supplementary notes are not to be used in this class unless specifically approved, suggested, or supplied by the teacher. It is critical that the literature assigned in class is read completely in order to learn the skills of evaluation and analysis. I consider this cheating and would encourage you to read and think for yourselves. Cheating, in general, will be dealt with according to district academic dishonesty policy. 1.Plagiarism: To take another person’s ideas, writing or inventions as one’s own. (Who is Cliff anyway? Rely on yourselves!)

10. Course Rationale: This course covers a broad spectrum of literature that focuses on the American Journey within literature. Students will read, analyze and compare various selections, including fiction, nonfiction, drama, poetry and short stories. This course provides a balanced, unified program of instruction in language, literature, and composition. Course Objectives: 1.Develop an appreciation and understanding of literature. 2.Develop an appreciation of literature and various authors through lecture, readings, discussions, writings, and projects. 3.Enhance writing skills through a variety of assignments on subjects related to literary themes, student experiences, and student interests. 4.Develop oral skills through presentations and class discussions. 5.Enhance listening and study skills to enable students to be independent learners and critical thinkers. 6.Grow awareness of individual learning styles.

11. Respect – for me, yourself, your peers, for Respect – for me, yourself, your peers, for literature, and for learning literature, and for learning Honesty – academic honesty, personal Honesty – academic honesty, personal integrity integrity Attention – undivided when it is my turn Attention – undivided when it is my turn Effort – the best you have to give Effort – the best you have to give academically, personally, and creatively academically, personally, and creatively Creativity – in thinking, speaking, and writing Creativity – in thinking, speaking, and writing Voice – speak up, your opinion is valid and will be Voice – speak up, your opinion is valid and will be heard and respected heard and respected Patience – bumps, adjustments, and delays are Patience – bumps, adjustments, and delays are inevitable! inevitable!

12. Homework will vary. It will almost always consist of one or more of the following items: 1. Read in your core novel 2. Write for your core novel or current writing assignment 3. Complete work not finished in class

13. All graded assignments will fit into four categories: Category 1: Preparedness and Participation (5 pts.) Category 2: Homework and Classwork(10 pts.) Category 3: Quizzes and Journals(15-25 pts.) Category 4: Tests, Projects, and Papers(100 pts. and up) Full Credit: On time HC and tii.com 70% Credit: One day late 50% Credit: 2 days late 0% Credit: 3 or more days late Grades are calculated by dividing the total points earned by the total points possible.

14. Each student is required to have a Turnitin.com account and should submit all required assignments on time or they will receive zero credit. Hard copies of typed assignments are almost ALWAYS due in class on the same day they are due to Turnitin.com. Technology is not always my friend!  I will try to have ZANGLE updated about every 3-4 weeks. If you see a score that is missing a grade – please don’t panic, it only means it has not been entered yet. When you see zeros – then you can panic I have a teacher website on Teacherweb.com (The link is listed at the top of your student contract) http://teacherweb.com/ca/newburyparkhighschool/seanamekari

15. English 9/10 2009-2010 Mrs. Seana Mekari Email: smekari@conejo.k12.ca.ussmekari@conejo.k12.ca.us http://teacherweb.com/CA/NewburyParkHighSchool/SeanaMekari/t.aspx Course Rationale: This course covers a broad spectrum of literature that focuses on character development within literature. Students will read, analyze and compare various selections, including fiction, nonfiction, drama, poetry and short stories. This course provides a balanced, unified program of instruction in language, literature, and composition. Course Objectives: 1.Develop an appreciation and understanding of literature. 2.Develop an appreciation of literature and various authors through lecture, readings, discussions, writings, and projects. 3.Enhance writing skills through a variety of assignments on subjects related to literary themes, student experiences, and student interests. 4.Develop oral skills through presentations and class discussions. 5.Enhance listening and study skills to enable students to be independent learners and critical thinkers. 6.Grow awareness of individual learning styles.

16. Student Responsibilities: 1.Attend class and be on time. 2.Be prepared to contribute to class discussions by completing all assignments, reading and written, when due. 3.Bring materials to class each day. 4.Successfully complete the course, achieving the highest grade possible for the student. Class Rules: 1.Inappropriate and/or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. This behavior undermines the learning of the student and the class. 2.Honest and personal integrity are expected. 3.Be on time. 4.Bring all materials and required work to class. 5.Be prepared to participate in class activities and discussions. 6.Water is allowed in class, but other food, drink, and snack items are not. 7.Use the restroom on your time whenever possible. Do not abuse the hall pass!

17. Classwork/Homework Tardy Policy: All work is due on the due date if you want to receive full credit! If you have an excused absence, the number of days absent will be granted to complete any work missed. The first two late assignments will be marked down and any subsequent late assignments will receive zero credit. Paper/Test/Project Tardy Policy: Long-term assignments are weighted more heavily and therefore it is critical that they are completed in a timely manner and turned in likewise. Students need to notify me ASAP if they will not be able to turn in a long-term paper or project on the due date. Arrangements can be made to accommodate special situations. Projects can be left in my box or brought to school by another person to receive full credit on the due date. Long-term assignments turned in one day late will begin credit at 50%. Projects turned in more than one day late will not receive credit. If a student is absent on the day of a test, it is that student’s responsibility to schedule a make-up date within the week following their return to school. If the test is not made up in that time, the student will receive a 0%. Make-ups will be scheduled at lunch and will be given on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students may bring lunches to class. Also, make note that on most occasions an alternate test will be given from the one given on the test date. Note: Parents, if a dire situation arises in the midst of a long-term assignment due date, please contact me personally via e-mail (best option) or voicemail, if a project absolutely cannot be turned in on time. An extension is possible only with a doctor’s note or parent contact.

18. Missed Quiz Policy: If a student is absent on a day a reading quiz is given, their following quiz grade will be counted double. If two quizzes are missed in a row, the first one is recorded as a 0% and the third quiz is double weighted. Quizzes may be prescheduled or surprise. Cliff’s Notes Policy (All Supplementary Notes): Supplementary notes are not to be used in this class unless specifically approved, suggested, or supplied by the teacher. It is critical that the literature assigned in class is read completely in order to learn the skills of evaluation and analysis. I consider this cheating and would encourage you to read and think for yourselves. Cheating, in general, will be dealt with according to district academic dishonesty policy. 1.Plagiarism: To take another person’s ideas, writing or inventions as one’s own. (Who is Cliff anyway? Rely on yourselves!)

19. Format Policy: All at-home assignments will be typed before turning them in for grading, unless otherwise instructed. Students should use: 1.1-1 ¼ inch margins 2.12 pt. Times Roman font 3.double spaced 4.Headings including student name, class, period, and date should be located in the header on the upper right. 5.Do not use coversheets unless otherwise directed. Supplies: Student should come to class prepared each day with: 1.appropriate text books, novels and/or plays 2.black or blue and red ball point pens 3.highlighters 4.a ready supply of 3x5 flashcards 5.spiral notebook, specifically for English 6.additional supplies may be required at a later date. Tardy/Truancy Policy: 1.Tardies and truancies will accumulate throughout each semester. 2.See NPHS Tardy Policy posted at the back of the class for Drop/Fail guidelines. 3.Students who are more than 15 minutes late without a legitimate excuse signed by an office attendant will be considered truant. (Taking a test for another class is not a legitimate excuse.)

20. ZANGLE: I will use ZANGLE regularly. ZANGEL is a service that allows students and parents to remain updated on a student’s progress throughout the school year. I will be updating ZANGLE every 1-2 weeks. At that time, I will be able to give you a fair estimate of where your child’s grade stands. Before grades are posted, it is your child’s responsibility to update you with their progress in class. Please feel free to email me if you have any pertinent questions regarding specific assignments or general behavior. I will use ZANGLE regularly. ZANGEL is a service that allows students and parents to remain updated on a student’s progress throughout the school year. I will be updating ZANGLE every 1-2 weeks. At that time, I will be able to give you a fair estimate of where your child’s grade stands. Before grades are posted, it is your child’s responsibility to update you with their progress in class. Please feel free to email me if you have any pertinent questions regarding specific assignments or general behavior. Grading Policy: Grades in my class are weighted. If there are any questions regarding this format, please have your child arrange a meeting with me and I would be happy to go over it in detail. The percentage breakdown is as follows: 1.40% = Assessments 2.20% = Quizzes 3.20% = Homework/Classwork 4.10% = Vocabulary and Spelling 5.10% = Participation 6.===== 7.100% = Semester Average. (Final Exam is comprehensive and will be worth 10% of the final semester grade.  Semester Average = 90% and Semester Final = 10%)

21. Work Habits/Cooperation Grades: 1.E: Excellent S: Satisfactory 2.N: Needs ImprovementU: Unsatisfactory Excellent work habits and cooperation are expected in class. Missing assignments and poor behavior will affect this grade. Failure to perform or participate in class and failure to turn in assignments will be understood as disregard for the objectives of this course and will therefore result in a lowered Work Habits/Cooperation report card grade. Participation Points: Students will earn points each day for: 1.Being present in class 2.Participating in discussions 3.Completing work assigned Students will lose participation points for: 1.Using the restroom during class time 2.Disobeying classroom rules and policies 3.Not participating 4.Not completing work assigned. 5.Exceptions will be made for extended absences due to illness with a parent phone call. After reading the course outline, please sign the contract and return to class tomorrow. This will count as a homework/classwork grade.

22. You will be broken into small groups. In your groups discuss expectations you have for me and for this class. You will have 10 minutes to discuss and we will share our ideas and write them on the board. I will record your expectations on this PowerPoint and download it onto my web page for future reference.

23. What kind of learner are you? Visual Auditory Kinesthetic

24. Collage Assignment GUIDELINES Your Name 5 images minimum 25 word minimum 5 ADJECTIVES that describe who you are NOW 5 ADJECTIVES that describe who you want to be in your future 5 VERBS that describe your energy, personality, or motivation 5 PROPER NOUNS – people you admire 5 COMMON NOUNS – things you value, past, present, or future Your contributions are appreciated!