English Department

  • Mary Cooper image of Mrs. Cooper

    • English 10 
    • Beginning Theater
    • Intermediate/Advanced Theater
    • Stagecraft

    Education and Credentials

    • Gonzaga University – BA, MA Eastern Washington University - CTE certification

    Clubs and Sports

    • Thesperados (Improv Comedy Troup)
    • Stage Craft
    • Theater Club

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    •  Ferris musicals and plays

    Cathy Dietrich Image of Mrs. Dietrich

    • Honors 10
    • English 10
    • English 11 

    Education and Credentials

    • Gonzaga University. Earned my BA with a major in English. Received teacher certification.
    • Eastern University- Completed endorsement in Physical Education
    • Walden University- Earned Masters of Education specializing in Curriculum, Instruction and Development.

    Clubs and Sports

    • I am the advisor for the Ferris Action Network (FAN).

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    •  As the advisor for the Ferris Action Network (FAN), a volunteer club that serves the community. Each year we take on a different community project. In recent years we have served the homeless population through our association with Blessings Under the Bridge and the Women's Shelter. We have worked with, Spokanimal, where we walked and played with the shelter animals. We have provided comfort and company to the elderly with visits to Touchmark Retirement Center, and we have educated the student body about Human Trafficking with the help of World Relief Spokane.

    Jennifer Goodin image of Mrs. Goodin

    Education and Credentials

    • Gonzaga University- Bachelors in History and English Literature, Certification in Secondary Education
    • Eastern Washington University- Masters of Education in curriculum and instruction
    • WSU- National Boards Certificaiton

    Clubs and Sports

    • Link Crew Advisor 

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    •  Dressing up for Spirit Days with Mrs. Harrison.  Accidentaly "twinning" with the English Department.  Laughing with my classes.  

    Jeff Halstead image of Mr. Halstead

    • English 10
    • Honors 10
    • English 11 

    Education and Credentials

    • Whitworth University for both my Bachelor's and Master's Degrees

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    •  Greeting student to my classroom on the first day of school each year.

    Megan Harrison image of Mrs. Harrison

    • Avid
    • English 9
    • Creative Writing (English 12) 

    Education and Credentials

    • Whitworth: undergraduate and masters

    Clubs and Sports

    • Link Crew Advisor

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    • Graduating my first crew of AVID seniors Class of 2020.

    Donna Herold image of Mrs. Herold

    • Writing on Flim (English 12)
    • 11AP English 
    • Film Making
    • Film Making TV/Production 

    Education and Credentials

    • Washington State University for BAs in Communications and English
    • Eastern Washington University for MS in curriculum and instruction

    Clubs and Sports

    • Flim Club Advisor
    • FIN- Ferris Information Network

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    •  Entering my 23rd year at Ferris, there have been too many to list just one. Some of my favorite memories would include advising the Ferris newspaper in the early 2000s, coaching amazing Ferris debate students during that same time, working and collaborating with talented peers on a variety of different curricular projects over the years, and watching my own children graduate from Ferris.

    Ashley Jones image of Mrs. Jones

    • English 9 Support
    • Honors 9
    • 11AP English Language 

    Education and Credentials

    • Whitworth: undergraduate and masters

    Clubs or Sports

    • Senior Class Counsel Co- Advisor
    • Sophomore Class Counsel Co- Advisor
    • Creative Writing Club Advisor

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    • I have SO many favorite Ferris memories. Last year's goats in the court yard is definitely a unforgettable highlight. I would say every Hello Week is really memorable. I love having lunch in Victory Plaza and listening to our crazy talented students sing and play their instruments.

    Katie O' Connor-Brown image of Mrs. Connor-Brown

    • English 9- Support 
    • English 11- Support 
    • Bridge to College (English 12)
    • Special Education  

    Education and Credentials

    • EWU for BAed Secondary English
    • SFCC and EWU for SPED endorsement
    • GCU for Masters in Literacy Education
    • National Boards.

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    • MLK Cons watching students express their passions for social justice, especially Michael Ervin's speech in 2018. 

    Erik Powell image of Mr. Powell

    • English 10- Support
    • AP English Literature (English 12)
    • French 1

    Education and Credentials

    • EWU -- BA in English, minor in French 1993; Secondary Teaching Certificate 1999
    • University of Nevada, Reno -- MA in English 1995

    Clubs and Sports

    • Over the years, I've coached basketball, track, and soccer. I've advised the Creative Writing Club and The Quidditch Club as well. Currently I am not coaching or advising any clubs & love devoting my time to teaching English and French.

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    •  Too many to list--all involve seeing Saxons laugh, grow, and live life to the fullest.

    Jason Selley image of Mr. Selley

    • English 9
    • US History
    • iCAN

    Education and Credentials

    • Spokane Falls Community College - Associate of Arts
    • Eastern Washington University - Bachelor's degree in Education
    • Lesley University - Master's degree in Educational Technology

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    • My third year working at Ferris, I was asked to help out during "Big Fun Week" in the spring. They asked me if I was willing to work the pie throwing booth, and stupidly I agreed. The whole idea was that students would pay one dollar to throw a pie at my face. ASB provided a large piece of cardboard with a hole in the middle for me to stick my head through. Long story short, my booth made the most money because I talked a lot of smack to all the throwers. (Freshmen get angry when you taunt them.) There was a line of students waiting for their chance to throw a pie at my face. :) Luckily I was only hit once.

    Dan Sjolund image of Mr. Sjolund

    • Debate
    • English 9
    • Mythology 

    Education and Credentials

    • Gonzaga University - BA English
    • Gonzaga University - MIT
    • Washington State University - EdD(ABD)

    Clubs and Sports

    • Debate
    • C Squad Girls Tennis

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    •  Scoob Serious rapping live in Brueggemeier Hall!

    Maria Sturgeon image of Mrs. Sturgeon

    • Honors 9
    • English 11 Support
    • SVL English

    Education and Credentials

    • Eastern Washington  University- BA
    • Eastern Washington Univeraity-MA
    • National Boards

    Clubs and Sports

    • C Girls Tennis

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    •  High School Music tour in 2015

    Emily Torres image of Mrs. Torres

    • English 9
    • Honors 9
    • Engish 11

    Education and Credentials

    • Yakima Valley Community College AA
    • Washington State University BA
    • Gonzaga University MA

    Clubs and Sports

    • Senior Class Advisor

    Favorite Ferris Memory

    • Kids swing dancing to "Sweet Caroline" in my classroom in the morning before first period.
    • There is always so much joy and laughter in the halls. I love that!