• Course Offerings  
     
    Junior Beyond High School
    In this class, students will work to complete graduation requirements, navigate PCC, explore college and career options, have an introduction to personal finance and money management community engagement, and prepare to apply to college, scholarships, financial aid, apprenticeships, and internships. This course is taught by classroom teachers and supported by our Jefferson College and Career Coordinators. Prerequisite: To be taken Junior year
     
     
    Senior Beyond High School
    In this class, students will have guided support for making a plan for after high school, which includes researching college and career options, completing college, program, and financial aid applications, writing admissions essays, and applying for scholarships. Students will also have support for completing graduation requirements, navigating both high school and college-level courses, and establishing and maintaining a work-life balance. This course is supported by our Jefferson College and Career Coordinators. Prerequisite: This course is designed to be taken during a student's senior year.
     
    Creative Writing
    Creative Writing is an opportunity for students to create original forms of descriptive writing, poetry, drama and fiction, as well as personal creative essays. Vocabulary development, creative writing techniques, and skills will be explored. Students will read examples of short fiction, flash fiction, poetry and essays as they learn new writing techniques and cultivate their own voice. The end product will be a complete writing portfolio that includes multiple drafts of writing pieces to show student development. Students will also be encouraged and guided through the process of submitting work to online and print publications. Prerequisite: None
     
    Ethnic Studies
    Ethnic Studies is the critical and interdisciplinary study of race, ethnicity, and indigenous identity with a focus on the experiences and perspectives of people of color in the United States. Using a combination of historical and contemporary literature, art, and media forms, students will analyze the ways in which race and racism have been, and continue to be, powerful social, cultural, and political forces. Students will analyze race and its role in other experiences of stratification, including gender, class, sexuality, and legal status. Students will apply a social justice lens to creating and analyzing contemporary media, including print, social media, animated GIFs and short videos. Prerequisite: None
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    Journalism
    In journalism, students will report and research stories that affect, or are relevant to, the students of Jefferson High School to be published in the school newspaper, The Pace. These include school, local, national, and global events. Students will get an opportunity to learn how to write news articles, OpEds, reviews and features, as well as develop reading, research, and interviewing skills. Independent work and close communication with the instructor and student editors are crucial, and a love or interest in writing is helpful. The class also provides opportunities to work with layout and editing software, create podcasts, zines, comics, and other media types. Prerequisite: None
     
    Mindfulness
    Students will address physical and mental strength habits while practicing Yoga and Mindfulness. Different types and styles of yoga will be utilized. Students will complete a research project on the benefits of mindfulness. This is designed as a one-semester course. Prerequisite: None
     
    Student Leadership/Government
    This course is designed to introduce students to leadership by practicing and applying the qualities of effective leaders through lessons and projects. Projects will include, but not be limited to, school and extracurricular activities, assemblies and service projects. Students will learn the various methods and techniques for planning, implementing and evaluating projects related to school activities. Students will explore leadership qualities of self-awareness, goal setting, organization, time management, project planning, communication, public relations, meeting skills, group dynamics, responsible citizenship, evaluation and problem solving. Students sometimes work beyond school hours. Prerequisite: None
     
    Theatre Beginning
    Theatre I (first Semester) covers creative and improvisational work, monologue, and scene memorization, with units in voice, dictation, and physical stage movement. Students critique performances and evaluate the literary worth of materials studied and performed.

    Theatre II (second semester) will deepen students’ understanding of theater as a literary medium and will focus on performance and directing as a demonstration of literary understanding.

    Prerequisite: None

    Yearbook
    This class is designed for students who want in-depth experience in creating a yearbook. It is a rigorous course in which students have the privilege of writing a book, preparing a book for publication, and recording Jefferson's history. It is designed to provide students with the opportunity to work with advanced computer technology, strengthen their problem solving skills, improve their communication skills and handle tremendous ethical responsibility. Students will practice the fundamentals of journalistic writing, photojournalism, graphic design and fund-raising. Students who take this course are expected to be passionate about the yearbook in order to endure all the hardships that a yearbook production entails. Students who take this class may be expected to cover activities outside of the school year. Prerequisite: None
     
     

  • Dan Coffey

    Theatre/Yearbook Teacher

    dcoffey@pps.net

    503-916-5180 ext. 78537

     

    Nathan Commodore

    Ethnic Studies Teacher

    ncommodore@pps.net

    503-916-5180 ext. 71397

     

    Susan Elliot

    Journalism Teacher

    selliot@pps.net

    503-916-5180 ext. 71364

     

    Luke Griffin

    Leadership/Student Government Teacher

    lgriffin@pps.net

    503-916-5180 ext. 78564

     

    Kelly Kaleschnik

    Mindfulness Teacher

    kkaleschnik@pps.net

    503-916-5180 ext. 78551

     

    Eliana Machuca

    Beyond High School Teacher

    emachuca@pps.net

    503-916-5180 ext. 71313

     

    Mike Napoli

    Mindfulness Teacher

    mnapoli@pps.net

    503-916-5180 ext. 78546

     

    Don Rose

    Creative Writing/ Beyond High School Teacher

    drose@pps.net

    503-916-5180 ext. 78517

     

    Jacqueline Rutherford

    Beyond High School Teacher

    jarutherford@pps.net

    503-916-5180 ext. 71278

     

    Wendy Shelton

    Beyond High School Teacher

    wshelton@pps.net

    503-916-5180 ext. 78524