Supervisor: Brendan McIsaac, 908-284-7145, bmcisaac@hcrhs.org

Mr. McIsaac holds a Master of Letters degree from Drew University and a Master of Educational Leadership and Administration degree from Rutgers University. He started teaching in 1995 and has been at Hunterdon Central since 1997 as an English teacher and supervisor. He currently also supervises Drama and Film. In 2017, as IMC supervisor, Mr. McIsaac worked to develop the District's Makerspace. In 2014, NJPSA recognized him as the New Jersey Visionary Supervisor of the Year. Mr. McIsaac has worked extensively with professional development, technology, testing, and strategic planning, but his passion remains working with teachers and students through curriculum, instruction, and assessment. His involvement in education extends into his home community where Mr. McIsaac served as a board of education member and president for nine years.

Department Faculty:

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English Department Staff

Department Presentation:

Department Description:

Our goal is to create lifelong readers who are meta-cognitive about the breadth and depth of their reading habits. We seek to cultivate curiosity and the confidence to engage others in conversation and the generation of ideas.

We want students to become capable writers with voice, who know how to turn ideas into texts for real purposes and audiences. We help our students grow into empathetic and discerning readers, listeners, and viewers, who can shape questions, make connections, and present ideas to affect positive change.

• Progressive and highly collaborative staff. Colleagues who publish - books, articles, poetry. Two County Teacher of the Year recipients. AP Language Exam reader.
• Reading instruction that balances whole class texts, literature circles, and independent reading with reading conferences and a budget for classroom libraries.
• Writing workshops and assignments emphasizing student choice topics, inquiry and synthesis, craft study, and authentic purposes and audiences.
• Digital writing projects as part of 1:1 program - blogs, video essays, Ted talks, podcasts, Genius Hour.
• Student-centered discussion and inquiry, Socratic Seminars, literature circles, inner/outer discussions.
• Student e-portfolios - student goals, artifacts, self-reflection.
• Weekly Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) based on common courses, and topics such as inquiry or book club reading selections.
• Strong professional development - sustained workshops, peer-to-peer instruction, and professional rounds.

Department Course Offerings:

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English Courses in the Program of Studies

Department Curriculum:

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English Department Curriculum