Welcome to huffenglish.com. This site is a space where I share ideas, reflections, and resources from my work as an English teacher, particularly for teachers of English language arts looking to think more deeply about their practice.
I’m Dana Huff, the author of all the blog posts and other materials you can find here (unless I have indicated otherwise). I started this blog as a way to reflect on my teaching, connect with other educators, and share what I’ve learned over the course of my career. I continue blogging because it helps me think, and because I hope something here might be useful to other teachers.
I began teaching English in 1997, and over the course of my career, I have taught English/language arts or journalism to all grades 6-12, as well as pre-K. In 2010, I earned my master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Virginia Tech and worked in technology integration for several years. In 2021, I successfully defended my dissertation in practice, Teachers’ Perspectives and Perceptions on Implementing Proficiency-Based Grading and Authentic Assessment, and earned an EdD from Northeastern University.
I began working at Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA, in 2012 as a Technology Integration Specialist and English teacher. I later served for many years as English Department Chair before transitioning to my current role as Instructional Coach and Upper School English teacher. I have previously worked at the Weber School in Atlanta, GA; Gwinnett County Public Schools; Houston County Schools; and Twiggs County Schools.
In 2017, my colleagues at Worcester Academy selected me for the O’Connell Teaching Award, one of two awards honoring excellence in teaching. In 2010, I was selected as the Georgia Secondary Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Council of Teachers of English and as a Teacher of Excellence by the National Council of Teachers of English.
My writing has been published in English Journal, a professional journal focused on English education and teaching practice. Much of my work centers on teaching literature, integrating technology meaningfully, and fostering student-centered, inquiry-based classrooms.
This blog reflects those same interests. You’ll find posts about books and curriculum, teaching strategies, assessment, and occasional reflections on the broader work of teaching.
This site is powered by WordPress and hosted by DreamHost. I use a child theme based on the WordPress theme Twenty Fourteen. Many folks have asked me about the header image—it’s a real intersection in the Atlanta area, and my husband Steve took the photo.
If you have questions about me or my blog, feel free to contact me (though not about guest posts, ads, or similar offers).
Thanks for reading—and for the work you do as a teacher.