Welcome to Mrs. Bell’s 8th grade English Language Arts class, where we learn to use words to communicate – to share information and ideas – through reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

I wasn’t always a teacher. A bookworm from the beginning, I got a degree in Journalism and worked for about 10 years as a newspaper reporter, editor, and public relations consultant. That means students have to listen to my stories, but that broad background can give fresh perspectives to what we read and can help students see more ways to use language outside the classroom.

We work hard in class (there’s less homework that way), but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun while we learn.