Contact Info:                                                                                     :
Phone: 803-476-3043

email: dwellsla@lexrich5.org

Classes taught: English 3 HN, English 4

Where am I? In "normal" times, I am in Room 126: ground floor of the East Wing. But these are not "normal" times; now I am teaching virtually, with D5-FIVE, where I meet with my students every day! Therefore, I can be found using either my phone number: 803-476-3043, where you will leave a message and I will respond, OR at dwellsla@lexrich5.org

Who am I? I am a teacher, wife, mother, dog owner, gardener, artist, reader, and many other things! I teach young people virtually through D5-FIVE, and report to Irmo High School in Columbia, SC.

Before 2007, I had another career. I worked in Banking, travelling and developing relationships with people in many states around the country. Since in 2007, I teach Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen, AP, HN, CP, IB, ADV, OGL; no matter what it is called, each class has wonderful, important young people, and each is special. I love English; I read (and enjoy reading) almost anything, and I am a bit of a writer. I have a BA in Education, and I am certified to teach Middle or High School English, AP Language, AP Literature, IB English and GT (Gifted & Talented). 

This year I am teaching both English 3 HN & English 4, ONLINE! Which is a treat and a challenge. It is new to me; it is new to you. This is daunting, but we live in difficult times; however, that cannot mean we do not give students our best. Please know that I will be focused on my students' social/emotional needs as well as helping them prepare for graduation and beyond. Oh, and these are NOT new classes to me; I have taught more English 4 classes than anything else, but I have laso taught many English 3 HN classes.

What I like most about my job is that I help students write. Specifically, I help them organize their writing for clarity and effectiveness in preparation for their adult lives and college experiences, whether they begin "college" in high school, virtually, or in a higher education institution. The bonus is that I get to read with them! 

What drives me is that I think about helping my students every day. This means I keep trying to find the best method to connect them to their future learning lives.

If you want to reach me, please send me an email. I will respond the same day. If you call, I will reply as soon as I can. Wednesdays are my formal day to schedule student conferences and parent "meets". I also hold 8 classes on Wednesday.

My class syllabi for both English 3 HN & English 4 are under the Syllabi tab. My schedule is included as a tab as well. I use google classroom for each class to communicate with students, document lesson plans and lessons, track calendars, and schedule assignments, so students can - and should - keep on track of class progress even when absent. There is NO delay in information.

Parents can get also get updates from the classroom, and I will be sending out a weekly update each Wednesday as well. 

I am looking forward to an exciting year working with each of you: students and parents/guardians!