EdD, Northeastern University; Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, June 2021; Dissertation: Teachers’ Perspectives and Perceptions on Implementing Proficiency-Based Grading and Authentic Assessment
MAEd, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia; Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Instructional Technology, December 2010
BSEd, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; English Education, magna cum laude, August 1997
Teaching Experience
Worcester Academy; Worcester, Massachusetts; July 2012-Present
2014-Present English Department Chair
2012-2014 Technology Integration Specialist and English Teacher
Supervise members of the English department
Teach three sections of English in Upper School, all levels including AP
Lead curriculum initiatives and professional development of teachers
Engage in interdisciplinary curriculum planning
Facilitate regular department meetings
Act as liaison between administration and faculty
Collaborate with administration to develop long-term vision for department
Assist in hiring new faculty
Prepare and manage English department budget
Manage department operations
Serve as role model and mentor to department members
Promote professionalism of English department
Advise a group of students
Advise student activity
The Weber School; Atlanta, Georgia; July 2004-June 2012
Lead professional development in technology integration
Design and lead professional development in technology
Facilitate technology integration in classrooms
Maintain technology equipment
Team-teach with faculty using technology in lessons
English Teacher (July 2004-June 2012)
Teach up to five sections of English
English Department Chair 2008-2009
Advise a group of students
Snellville Middle School; Snellville, Georgia; July 2002-August 2004
Eighth Grade Language Arts, 2002-2003
Journalism Connections 2003-2004
Teach 8th grade language arts
Teach 6th-8th grade Journalism
Kindercare Learning Center; Oakwood, Georgia; November 2001-June 2002
Prekindergarten Teacher
Teach Georgia prekindergarten program
Warner Robins High School; Warner Robins, Georgia; August 1998-June 2001
English Teacher
Teach up to five sections of English, including Honors
Advise student activity
Twiggs County High School; Jeffersonville, Georgia; August 1997-June 1998
English Teacher
Teach up to three sections of English in 4×4 block
Advise Literary Magazine
Consulting Experience
ELA Technology Integration Consultant; Wachusett Regional School District Jefferson, MA
Developed and facilitated professional development for ELA teachers in preparation for 1:1 Chrome Books adoption. Topics included Google Docs, digital storytelling, blogging, online assessment tools, and online Socratic seminar discussion
Technology Integration Consultant; Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington DC
Developed and facilitated professional development for participants in Folger Shakespeare Library’s Teaching Shakespeare Summer Institute
Publications
Huff, D. (2017). Telling the story of America: digital storytelling projects in American literature. English Journal, 106(3), 32-37.
Huff, D. (2006). Toward moral perfection: integrating Judaic concepts and Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography. English Journal, 95(6), 33-36.
Huff, D. (2005-present). HuffEnglish.com. Retrieved from https://www.huffenglish.com
Huff, D. (2001). A teacher’s guide to the Signet classic edition of Beowulf [Pamphlet]. New York, NY: Penguin.
Cooke, D. (2000). Determining guilt in “Porphyria’s Lover.” Ideas Plus, 18, 44-45.
Conference Presentations
“Telling the Story of America: Student Agency and Voice through Digital Storytelling Projects in American Studies,” National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Conference, November 2017
“Telling the Story of America: Digital Storytelling in American Studies,” New England Association of Teachers of English Conference, October 2016
“Writing Workshop: Collaborative and In-Depth Critique in English,” Online Education Symposium for Independent Schools, OESIS Boston, October 2015
“Telling the Story of America: Digital Storytelling in American Studies,” Digital Storytelling Conference, StoryCenter (formerly the Center for Digital Storytelling), September 2015
“Telling Our Stories: Student Agency and Choice in Writing Workshop, Blogging, and Online Socratic Discussion,” National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Conference, November 2014
“Reblended English: Integrating Technology to Develop Student Voice,” Leading Future Learning Conference, Massachusetts Computer Using Educators, October 2014
“Teaching the Hero’s Journey: Understanding Our Past, Creating Our Future,” NCTE Annual Conference, November 2011
“Shakespeare Set Free Act 5: How to Create Meaningful and Authentic Assessments for your Shakespeare Unit,” NCTE Annual Conference, November 2010
“No Teacher is an Island: Connecting with Teachers Through Social Media Tools,” Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA) Annual Conference, November 2009
“Using Blogs and Wikis for Professional Development,” Georgia Council of Teachers of English Conference, February 2009
“Using Blogs and Wikis for Professional Development, GISA Annual Conference, November 2008
“Using Blogs and Wikis in the Classroom,” GISA Annual Conference, November 2006
Honors and Awards
O’Connell Teaching Award, Worcester Academy (2017)
Nominated by faculty peers and selected based on faculty vote and earned by teachers whose performance in the classroom and loyalty to Worcester Academy’s community are most exemplary in recognition of excellent teaching and dedication to the Academy
Teacher of Excellence, National Council of Teachers of English (2010)
Secondary Teacher of the Year, Georgia Council of Teachers of English (2010)
Teacher of the Year, Kindercare Learning Center (2002)
Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society (2012)
Golden Key National Honor Society (1997)
Delta Epsilon Iota National Honor Society (1997)
Presidential Scholar
Dean’s List
References available upon request.
Note: This is an abbreviated version of my full CV. Please contact me for a pdf of my complete CV.
My name is Erika Johnson and I came across your website while searching for "best practices in teaching high school english". I am so inspired by your site! I have been teaching English Language Arts for 12 years and sometimes I still feel like I am not doing enough. I recently completed a master's in Currriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Reading and I am getting ready to pursue National Board Certification.
I am so intimidated by the National Board Certification process that I have taken the steps to ward it once or twice, yet always pulling back. Do you still blog on your site? I was loiking at the dates and it doesn't look like anyone has posted since 2007. Pleas keep this going; you have no idea how you are inspiring others to be better teachers.
Comments are closed.
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Hi Dana,
My name is Erika Johnson and I came across your website while searching for "best practices in teaching high school english". I am so inspired by your site! I have been teaching English Language Arts for 12 years and sometimes I still feel like I am not doing enough. I recently completed a master's in Currriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Reading and I am getting ready to pursue National Board Certification.
I am so intimidated by the National Board Certification process that I have taken the steps to ward it once or twice, yet always pulling back. Do you still blog on your site? I was loiking at the dates and it doesn't look like anyone has posted since 2007. Pleas keep this going; you have no idea how you are inspiring others to be better teachers.