The English Department of Perry Hall High School
Anchored in Baltimore County Public Schools’ commitment to equity, rigor, and culturally responsive instruction, the English Department at Perry Hall High empowers students to become critical thinkers, accomplished readers, and skillful communicators through a dynamic, future-ready curriculum. We believe that every student deserves daily access to accessible, rigorous, relevant, and responsive instruction grounded in the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards. Our goal is to foster independent, strategic, lifelong learners—readers, writers, speakers, and listeners—who can navigate and shape the world with confidence and empathy.
From English 9 through AP Literature and Composition, our courses integrate reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical analysis. We emphasize student choice, purpose-driven assignments, and literary exploration across genres. Teachers work in Professional Learning Communities alongside literacy specialists, ESOL, and Special Education staff. We use data-driven practices, culturally responsive texts, and the science of reading to close achievement gaps and support all learners. In line with BCPS's vision of producing globally competitive graduates, our department goes beyond tests. We push students to question assumptions, analyze diverse perspectives, and develop voices that matter. Whether decoding historical texts or crafting original arguments, our students learn to communicate with power and purpose.
Courses Offered
English 9, 9 honors, 9 GT
English 10, 10 honors, 10 GT
English 11, 11 honors, 11 AP
English 12, 12 honors, 12 AP
Journalism
Yearbook
Multimedia--announcements
AP Capstone (AP Seminar and AP Research)
Graduation Requirements
Four years of English are required across all four grade levels.
Department Chair
Chris Turner
The English Team
A. Atkinson—9th and 9th honors
D. Bostian—12th PLC leader, 12th honors, AP Research
J. Conner—10th GT and 11th
J. Habtemariam—11th PLC leader, 11th, 11th honors, AP Seminar
C. Neddo—10th and 10th honors
J. O'Keefe—11th and 11th honors
M. Ricciardi—12th and 12th honors
L. Richardson—12th honors, 12 AP, Yearbook
S. Spence—AVID 12, 12th, and 12th honors
K. Spurrier—9th honors, 11th honors, Teacher Academy
S. Strazzire—10th honors, Multimedia
J. Thompson—10th PLC leader, 10th, and 9th GT
C. Turner—English department chair, 11th AP
B. Vickery—9th PLC leader, 9th, 9th honors, and 9th GT
L. Yates—9th, 9th honors, and Journalism
L. Yencsik—9th honors