Teaching Philosophy

My teaching focuses on utilizing technology and project based learning. For example, in my Dual Credit ENG 1302: Written Argument and Research RTI course (Spring 2016), I utilized new technologies and Google Hangouts to allow students in both locations to collaborate together on projects as well as to better accomplish discussion participation between both groups. Similarly in ENG 1301 College Reading and Writing I employed a flip classroom model by recording lecture topics such as how to write an annotated bibliography and made these videos available to students to watch as needed throughout the semester.

Project based learning drives my teaching as can be seen in the way I create problem-posing assignments that engage students critical thinking skills. For example, in ENG 1301 students read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice then researched ways that it was been adapted over the years such as into different movies like Lost in Austen and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. They researched these adaptations as examples of transformative storytelling and asked themselves how these new works continued Jane Austen’s social commentary on constructions of gender and social class but updated to apply to our time. I frequently utilize a flipped classroom model and record material for my students that they can refer back to throughout the course as needed. I utilize technology to create student lead opportunities for collaborative projects utilizing multimedia where small groups of students are teaching their peers.

My secondary teaching experience:

AP English 3 and Pre-AP English 2 Teacher, Tyler High School, Tyler, TX – 2021-2022

I created my scope and sequence for the courses, and drafted lesson plans. I incorporate technology and differentiated teaching methods into my lessons. I Utilized Canvas. I won a Tyler Foundation grant to get video equipment for students to make video research projects. Student Council sponsor. UIL Ready Writing and Journalism events coach.

English Teacher & Debate Coach, Canton ISD High School, Canton, TX – 2016-2021

9th grade English and UIL Debate Coach (Lincoln Douglas, Congress, and Extemporaneous Speaking). I created my scope and sequence for the courses, and drafted lesson plans. I incorporate technology and differentiated teaching methods into my lessons.

Adjunct Professor, Paris Junior College, Paris, TX, 2012-2016

I taught Dual Credit ENG 1301 US College Reading & Writing and ENG 1302 US Written Argument and Research. This included sections that were 100% online, hybrid, and face to face. I created online learning tools for students. I used Blackboard for online and hybrid classes.

English & Theatre Teacher, Campbell ISD, Campbell, TX – 2014-2016

Secondary English and Theatre teacher for grades 7-12 (including dual credit English courses). UIL One Act Play Theatre director. Student Council sponsor.

TA Instructor of Record, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, TX, 2012-2014

ENG 1301 US College Reading & Writing and ENG 1302 US Written Argument. I taught face to face and hybrid courses. One section was a sheltered course with a majority of non-native English speakers from South Korea. Online and hybrid sections utilized eCollege through Pearson.

I have raised over $3665.39 in Donor’s Choose projects. Click here to see them.

Certified in Texas to teach English grades 7-12 and Theatre grades PK-12. ESL certified. 

My college teaching experience:

Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2012-2014, TA-Instructor of Record


ENG 1301 US College Reading & Writing and ENG 1302 US Written Argument and Research. I instructed an average of 25 students per course with 2 courses a semester. One section was a sheltered course with a majority of non-native English speakers from South Korea. I created online learning tools for students including video lectures and online guides, created and gave lectures, evaluated student writing and 
ethnography projects, kept attendance and record of grades, taught web enhanced sections with eCollege, etc.

Paris Junior College, Campbell, TX, 2012-Present, Adjunct Instructor


Dual Credit ENG 1301 US College Reading & Writing and ENG 1302 US Written Argument and Research
. I taught two courses per semester of which one was dual credit at Campbell High School and the other was online using Blackboard. I created online learning tools for students including video lectures and online 
 guides, created and gave lectures, evaluated student writing and ethnography projects, kept attendance and 
record of grades, etc. In the 2015-2016 year I taught it as an where another school joined our class and I taught both schools simultaneously. We used Google Hangouts on Air to broadcast the lecture. It also recorded it and uploaded it to YouTube. I had students type their essays in Google Docs so they could invite me to edit it so I could monitor their progress in real time, even those students who were on the other campus. We also utilized Blackboard for handouts and final assignment submissions.

Assignments I have created…

ENG 1302: Ethnography Literacy Projects

The ENG 1302 courses I taught at Texas A&M University-Commerce focused on having students create an ethnography project examining how a community utilized literacy (specifically focusing on literacy sponsorship within discourse communities). My students focused on online discourse communities. I created this website for them full of resources, my assignment customized assignment prompts that meet the requirements of the department for ENG 1302 courses, etc. I have kept this website up as an example of my teaching for this digital portfolio and I have had other teachers utilize my resources.

http://www.eng1302.rachelcantrell.com/