Welcome to the English Department!

Department Chair: Meg Deighton (mdeighton@bcps.org)
Graduation Requirements
- English
9
- English 10
- English 11
- English 12
Classes Offered
- English
9, honors, and GT
- English
10, honors and GT
- English
11, honors
- English 12, honors
- AP
Language (11th grade)
- AP
Literature (12th grade)
- Theatre
Arts I
- Theatre
Technical
- Theatre:
Design and Production
- Creative Writing
- SAT Prep: Disciplinary Literacy
Message From the Department
Hi
Woodlawn Guardians and Scholars! We are
so excited to return to the classroom for the 2021-2022 school
year.
Please check out our bios below: we have such an amazing English
Department, filled with dedicated and diverse teachers. It is extraordinary how many of us support
our scholars outside the classroom.
Check out all our clubs and organizations and do not hesitate to reach
out to us to join!
Meet
our Department Members Below!

|
Name
|
Meg Deighton
|
Email
|
mdeighton@bcps.org
|
Classes Taught
|
AP
Literature
|
College(s) Attended
|
Kalamazoo
College
- Bachelors: English, Psychology
Nova
Southeastern
- M.A. in Teaching and Learning: Curriculum Instruction
Notre
Dame
- M.A. in Leadership in Teaching: Cultural Proficiency Leadership
|
Hometown
|
Detroit, Michigan
|
Bio: My name is
Meg Deighton and I am the Department I started teaching at WHS in 2006
and have fallen in love with the community, students, and staff at
Woodlawn. Over the past 15 years, I have taught English 10, 11, 12, SAT
Prep, and AP Literature. I am also the department chair for English. Also,
I am co-advisor for the Freshman CLASS… I am so excited to be part of the
amazing graduating class of 2025!
When
I am not binging a favorite TV show or reading (or re-reading!)
a novel, you can find me cooking new, exciting recipes I have found
or doing some home-improvement project. I love
watching sports (especially going to games) and am extremely
competitive. I love travelling, but find I haven’t done much
lately due to working two jobs and finishing my masters degree.
I hope to start visiting more places soon. I lived in England for
a year for my undergraduate and it ignited a desire to visit as many
places as possible and learn about all different cultures.
My
favorite times are spent with my family, including my parents,
2 older brothers and my sister-in-laws, nieces,
nephews, and so many cousins, aunts, and uncles.
|

|
Name
|
Jess Beyer
|
Email
|
jbeyer@bcps.org
|
Classes Taught
|
English 12
Creative Writing
|
Colleges Attended
|
Emory University (BA,
English & Creative Writing)
New York University
(MFA, Poetry)
|
Hometown
|
Catonsville, MD
|
I’m Ms.
Beyer, back for my third year at WHS. I’m looking forward to helping our
seniors prepare for life after high school and helping students grow as
writers and creative thinkers. Before coming to WHS, I worked in higher
education and digital product development. I’m additionally a published writer
and have had poetry and essays featured in literary journals, anthologies,
and The Baltimore Sun.
Aside
from reading and writing, of course, I love traveling, SCUBA diving, and
taking walks with my 2-year-old pup, Eleanor. I’ve also traveled to every
continent except one (I’m coming for you, Antarctica)!
|

|
Name
|
Kate Clemmens
|
Email
|
kclemmens@bcps.org
|
Classes Taught
|
English 10
AP English Language and Composition
|
College(s) Attended
|
Towson University
Notre Dame of Maryland University
|
Hometown
|
Baltimore, MD
|
Bio: Hello,
scholars! My name is Ms. Clemmens and I cannot wait to meet you. If you are
joining my English 10 or AP class, you can count on reading and analyzing a
wide variety of engaging texts and having meaningful conversations about our
world. Together, in room 307, we will further our status as informed and
empathetic citizens.
I started
teaching at Woodlawn High School in 2017 after falling in love with the
students and community as a student teacher the year before. Along with Ms.
Savoy, I chair the Publication Club. Join us in Pub Club to help produce the
Wakanda Warrior, Woodlawn’s literary magazine!
When I’m not teaching, you’ll
likely find meat a concert or hiking the trails near Loch Raven Reservoir with
my family. If I’m lucky to wear my little ones out on the trails, I'll curl up
in my hammock with a book during afternoon nap. Though if I had to choose a
reading spot, I would always pick the beach!
|

|
Name
|
Matt Janansky
|
Email
|
mjanansky@bcps.org
|
Classes Taught
|
English
10 (OGE)
English 11, 12
(Co-Teaching)
|
College(s) Attended
|
The College of
New Jersey (B.A.)
Goucher College (M.A.)
|
Hometown
|
Pine Barrens, New Jersey
|
Bio: My name
is Mr. Janansky, and I am in
the (English/SPED Department). In
my free time, I enjoy reading and listening to/making music
.
I’ve been learning the ins and outs of production and using the computer as
an instrument for about 10 years.
|

|
Name
|
Abraham
Jones, Ed.D.
|
Email
|
ajones38@bcps.org
|
Classes
Taught
|
English
12, English 11
|
College(s)
Attended
|
Morehouse
College (B.A.)
University
of Delaware (M.A.)
Delaware
State University (M.A.)
Wilmington
University (Ed.D.)
|
Hometown
|
Newark,
Delaware
|
My
name is Dr. Jones, and I am in the English Department. I
like to travel internationally, and my passion is offering my assistance to
make certain people are meeting their personal goals in life.
|

|
Name
|
Dorlisa Mullen-Mitchell
|
Email
|
dmullenmitchell@bcps.org
|
Classes Taught
|
Critical
Reading
English 9
|
College(s) Attended
|
Coppin
State University (BS)
Currently:Towson State University
|
Hometown
|
Baltimore, MD
|
Bio: My name is Ms. Mullen-Mitchell,
and I work in the English Department at Woodlawn High School. I feel like I am returning home because WHS is
where I began my career substitute teaching.
Before WHS, I taught just about every subject and middle school grade
level as a Paraeducator; and was a Cheer Coach, a Mentor and Co-founder of a
powerful female network (GEMS) at my former school.
Interesting Facts: When I am not teaching, I
enjoy exercising, shopping, and reading. Honestly, I have not been an active
reader because I have been binging on Hallmark movies. I am a mother of four
young adults: ages 27, 25, 23, and 22. Although I am currently enrolled in
Towson State University finishing my Masters in Teaching, I consider myself a
life learner where my motto is “Walk in Excellence or Not at All.”
|
|
Name
|
Kelsey Morsberger
|
Email
|
kmorsberger@bcps.org
|
Classes Taught/ Position
|
English 9/9GT
English 12H
|
College(s) Attended
|
Towson University (BS
& MS)
|
Hometown
|
Catonsville, MD
|
Bio: My name is Ms.
Morsberger and I am in the English Department. I have been teaching with BCPS
for 8 years. I love Harry Potter, The Office, and spending time in the
Adirondacks and Ocean City with my family. I have a cat named Albus who loves
to play with hair ties and sleep in the sun all day. I am so excited to be a
part of the Woodlawn community!
|

|
Name
|
Sharon Neverdon
|
Email
|
Sneverdon@bcps.org
|
Classes Taught
|
English 9
Critical Reading
|
College(s) Attended
|
Grand Canyon University (BS)
Liberty University (Masters Program)
|
Hometown
|
Queens, New York
|
Bio: My name
is Mrs. Neverdon and I am in the English Department. I have enjoyed educating
students in a few disciplines in Baltimore City and in Baltimore County.
I
enjoy the theater, ballet, football, and basketball. Riding my bike
near the water is my favorite past time.
Coming
soon on Social
Media: Prolific Young Writers! (PYW!)
|

|
Name
|
Shannon
O’Brocki-Kreft
|
Email
|
sobrocki2@bcps.org
|
Classes
Taught
|
English
12
Avid 12
|
College(s)
Attended
|
Towson
University ‘14 (BS)
Towson
University Dec. 20’ (MS)
|
Hometown
|
Ferndale,
Maryland
|
Bio: I started teaching at Woodlawn in the fall of 2014. I am AVID Certified, the National
Honor Society Advisor,and AP
Coordinator at Woodlawn.
In
my spare time I like to hang out with my pets, Benjen (a black cat), and
Piccolo (a Parson’s Russel Terrier- we think) watching Netflix or playing
Animal Crossing New Horizons. If my family would let me I would adopt so many
animals people would think we had a zoo (I used to have a hedgehog)! Lately,
my time has been filled with working on various home projects with the help
of my mom and my husband (We’ll celebrate 10 years together and 2 year of
marriage the end of September).
|

|
Name
|
Michael R. O’Leary
|
Email
|
moleary@bcps.org
|
Classes Taught
|
English 11 and Honors
|
College(s) Attended
|
Towson University (BS)
Loyola University (MS)
|
Hometown
|
Frederick, MD
|
Bio: I’m Mr. Michael O’Leary and I have been teaching for over 12 years in the English Department here. I’m originally
from Frederick, MD and graduated Frederick High in 2002. In my time at Woodlawn, I’ve worked
across content with many teachers to not
only build singular student success, but also to expand
and evolve my own pedagogy across my classes. I’ve worked
extensively with one of the oldest, student created and led
clubs in Woodlawn’s Real Authentic Poetry team,
which created school- wide events and involvement such
as rap battles, poetry showcases, slam poetry competitions,
and black history celebrations. I’ve coached seven chess teams
with all placing in the top 20 of county wide players. I
continue my work by incorporating growth mindset
neuroscience, applying restorative justice practices into academic
discipline/ self-discipline, and bridging literacy skills through
the digital age in order to construct viable paths to student achievement
now and in the future.
I’m a person of
adventure and am always ready for a hike up a mountain or a trek into an
abandoned haunted house. I’m a lover of history, politics,
philosophy, the unknown, and all things literacy. I can
jump on a retro game system as easily I can master the “sticks in COD”, but I
enjoy games that offer a novel experience with friends the
most. Keeping my mind and body strong is my
highest priority with an unofficial life goal being to visit all 50
states by the tricentennial.
|

|
Name
|
Joe Ottomano
|
Email
|
jottomano@bcps.org
|
Classes Taught
|
English
11
Sat Prep:
Disciplinary Literacy
|
College(s) Attended
|
McDaniel
College (BA)
Towson University (MS)
|
Hometown
|
Manchester, MD
|
Bio: My name is Mr. Ottomano and
I work in the English department at Woodlawn High
School where I’ve been teaching since 2012.
During that time, I’ve taught across the grade levels. My
hobbies include reading, writing, and playing the occasional video or
tabletop game. I like to be active outside doing things
such as hiking and camping, but also enjoy staying in and analyzing the
plot, themes, symbols, and characters of my favorite TV shows and
movies.
|

|
Name
|
Donna Wilson
|
Email
|
dwilson21@bcps.org
|
Classes Taught
|
Special Educator, English
|
College(s) Attended
|
Bowie State University, BS
Walden University MS
Walden University EdD
(ABD) Education Leadership (currently)
|
Hometown
|
Baltimore, MD
|
Bio: My name
is Mrs. Donna R. Wilson, and I am in the special education department. I
started my career in higher education 15 years ago, teaching across disciplines
and later working in a retention capacity.
I enjoy relaxing with my
family, reading (lots of books), writing, painting, crocheting, playing my
violin, and creating and preparing new recipes. I love being of service in the
community and giving in areas where there is a need.
|
SPARC Teacher: (See SPARC Page)