LaToya Gay

334 243 5514

Courses Taught:

English/Language Arts 7 and 8 and Journalism

LaToya Gay

Education

I attended Troy State University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in English/ Speech Communications and a Masters Degree in English/ Language Arts Secondary Education 6-12.

Bio

I am currently entering my fourteenth-year teaching seventh and eighth grade English Language Arts and journalism at Banks Middle School. I have been blessed to serve all fourteen years at my current placement. I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English/ Speech and Communication and a Master’s Degree of Education (grades 6-12) in English/ Language Arts. I attended Troy State University and played basketball while at Troy on a full scholarship. I have been named The Pike County School’s district Secondary Teacher of the Year twice, Troy Messenger's Reader's Choice Teacher of the Year recipient, The Pike County School’s Innovation and Technology recipient, WAKA Golden Apple Award winner, Jacksonville State University’s Teacher Hall of Fame Top Five Finalist (Middle School Category), LDC (Literacy Design Collaborative) National Teacher of the Year, and am a National Board Certified teacher in English Language Arts- Early Adolescence. In addition to this, the student publications I advise (The Open Window literary magazine and Bobcat News) have won numerous awards at the state and regional level. I am also active in presenting at national conferences including The Gulf Coast Conference on the Teaching of Writing and SREB’s College and Career Readiness Networking Conference. I also serve as our school’s SGA advisor. As the SGA sponsor, we conduct several activities and projects throughout the school year including The Black History Month program, can food drive, talent show, and the Pike Animal Shelter service project. I am originally from Memphis, TN, where my parents still reside. I do not have any biological children, but I am beyond blessed to have around eighty students that I serve each year that easily take on that role. I also have two dogs, a Chihuahua and a poodle. Those two are the only teachers’ pets allowed. I am an educator because I was inspired by a great English teacher in high school- Mrs. Thornton. She made me believe I could do, and be, anything. I want to be that to the students that I have the privilege to teach.

Supply List

For this course, you will need the following resources:

 

1.     Pencils or Pens (blue or black ink only)

2.    Notebook paper (2 packs)

3.    Two three—pronged folders with pockets

4.    Kleenex (8th Grade only)

5.    Index Cards (1 pack) 7th Grade Only


Class Schedule

1st Period- English 8

2nd Period- English 8

3rd Period- English 7

4th Period- English 7

5th Period-Journalism

6th Period- PLAN


Documents

Summer Reading List

I do not require Summer Reading; however, I do encourage it. Reading helps you build a stronger vocabulary, helps you build an understanding of using context clues, and helps you in writing. Below is a list of books appropriate for middle school readers:

7th Grade

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Al Capome Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi

Scorpions by Walter Dean Myers

 

 

**graphic novels are popular for struggling or reluctant readers. For more information on this new genre, please visit Scholastic's Website for a definition, benefits, and titles suitable for middle school readers.


8th Grade

Nothing But the Truth by Avi

The Moves Make the Man by Bruce Brooks

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Double Dutch by Sharon Flake

The Westing Game By Ellen Raskin

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson