Your skills in reading, writing, thinking and speaking will be developed and strengthened through our rigorous English program curriculum. In each year of study, you’ll be challenged by stimulating reading assignments, frequent writing projects, comprehensive vocabulary program, and oral presentations. And, if you are ready for a still greater challenge as a junior or senior, Honors English and Advancement Placement English classes are available.
Graduation Requirements
4 credits of English, at least one credit per year
“Every crime destroys more Edens than our own.”--Nathaniel Hawthorne. The theme for this class is crime in American literature, starting at colonization and continuing to 1905. Part 1, fall semester, will include works by Poe, Hawthorne, Alcott, and Twain, among others. Students will lead discussions, write analytical essays, and complete a final semester project.
American Crime and Punishment 2 picks up where the fall semester class left off. This semester will focus on the theme of crime in 20th century American literature and film, both canonical and popular. The class may include American authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ann Petry, James Cain, Dashiell Hammet, Jim Thompson, Raymond Chandler, Patricia Highsmith, Delores Hitchens, Helen Eustis, Dorothy B. Hughes. David Goodis, Chester Himes, Flannery O’Connor. Students will lead discussions, write analytical book reviews, and submit a final project of their choice.
This course will read and discuss the great writings of the mystery genre from Wilkie Collins’s The Moonstone (1868,) widely considered the first mystery novel, through classic works by Edgar Allan Poe, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie and on to more contemporary fiction. We will also screen film and television adaptations of these works and listen to examples from the age of radio mysteries, considering what resonates in different periods, including a study of the real life 1860 murder of 3 year-old Saville Kent (The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher) that set the model for the archetypal character of “the detective” and sparked a Victorian interest in murder that would develop into the mystery genre we know today.
Venture into the world of creative writers who choose nonfiction as their realm, or as Creative Nonfiction Magazine describes the genre, “true stories well told.” From memoir to personal essay, from lyric essay to literary journalism—creative nonfiction has it all. In this class we shall sample creative nonfiction by the best—John McPhee, Annie Dillard, Bill Bryson, Susan Orlean, to name a handful–and write some nonfiction of our own.
The Creative Writing syllabus is guided each semester by individual student interest and voice. Prompts will be given as needed to spark a project, including free writing exercises, structures such as the sonnet or Joseph Campbell’s concept of the “Hero’s Journey,” visual or situational reaction cards, non-literary forms such as the shopping list or instruction manual, etc. In addition, we will explore various contemporary writers’ work, including but not limited to that of David Sedaris, Zadie Smith, David Foster Wallace, Laurie Anderson, and more, depending on student interest. Students are encouraged to explore any form of non-academic writing and so may use the time to develop any such writing not assigned by another class.
Fall or Spring Semester – ½ Credit per Semester
Prerequisite: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing. Freshman with permission from Advisor.
The Creative Writing syllabus is guided each semester by individual student interest and voice. Prompts will be given as needed to spark a project, including free writing exercises, structures such as the sonnet or Joseph Campbell’s concept of the “Hero’s Journey,” visual or situational reaction cards, non-literary forms such as the shopping list or instruction manual, etc. In addition, we will explore various contemporary writers’ work, including but not limited to that of David Sedaris, Zadie Smith, David Foster Wallace, Laurie Anderson, and more, depending on student interest. Students are encouraged to explore any form of non-academic writing and so may use the time to develop any such writing not assigned by another class.
Fall or Spring Semester – ½ Credit per Semester
Prerequisite: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing. Freshman with permission from Advisor.
The Creative Writing syllabus is guided each semester by individual student interest and voice. Prompts will be given as needed to spark a project, including free writing exercises, structures such as the sonnet or Joseph Campbell’s concept of the “Hero’s Journey,” visual or situational reaction cards, non-literary forms such as the shopping list or instruction manual, etc. In addition, we will explore various contemporary writers’ work, including but not limited to that of David Sedaris, Zadie Smith, David Foster Wallace, Laurie Anderson, and more, depending on student interest. Students are encouraged to explore any form of non-academic writing and so may use the time to develop any such writing not assigned by another class.
Fall or Spring Semester – ½ Credit per Semester
Prerequisite: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing. Freshman with permission from Advisor.
Dr. Mary Edmonds came to Chatham Hall in 1998 after teaching at both the college and high school levels. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Davidson College and then studied at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. In addition to heading the English Department, Mary is the sponsor of Iris, the School’s literary magazine, and an Advisor. A girls' school graduate herself, her favorite thing about Chatham Hall is the intellectually-engaged student body. She lives on campus with her husband, retired Chatham Hall teacher Alan Spearman, and their Weimaraners.
ChristaAnderson
English & History Teacher; CAMS; Coach; Dorm Advisor
Local independent school graduate Christa Anderson joined the Chatham Hall community in 2022 after spending two years as an intern at her alma mater, Virginia Episcopal School (VES). While at VES she lived on dorm, coached four sports, and learned a lot about the teaching profession. Christa earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in government from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. At Chatham Hall, she teaches English and history, works with the CAMS program, lives on dorm, and coaches. Outside of teaching and coaching, Christa enjoys singing and playing the ukulele, watching anime, and hanging out with her dog.
CameronAyres
English, Creative Writing, & Photography Teacher; Theatre Department Director
Prior to coming to Chatham Hall in 2016, Cameron Ayres received a B.A. in both theatre and French from the College of William & Mary and a M.F.A in studio art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Having attended an independent school as a student, Cameron is familiar with the boarding school environment, with his favorite Chatham Hall tradition being the Lantern Ceremony.
Valerie Doucette joined the Chatham Hall English department in 2023. A graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall, she most recently taught English and worked in College Counseling at St. Margaret's School in Tappahannock, Va., giving her a rich background in both boarding and girls' school environments. Valerie attended Franklin & Marshall College and the University of Arizona, and enjoys walking, golfing, reading, and films.
DeborahGlymph
Chief Diversity Officer; History & English Teacher
Deborah Glymph received a B.A. from the State University of New York-Stony Brook and a M.Ed. from Mary Baldwin College, among other teaching certificates. In addition to teaching at Chatham Hall since 2015, Deborah serves the School as chief diversity officer. She also has decades of experience teaching locally in the Danville area.
MaraJarrett
History & English Teacher; CAMS; International Student Coordinator; Coach
Mara Jarrett, who has most recently worked in South Korea where she taught ESL and history electives, returned to the U.S. in 2022 to join the Chatham Hall community. She holds a BA and MA from Arkansas State University and has a background in a wide variety of topics such as Middle Eastern and Asian studies, geography, philosophy, and ancient history. At Chatham Hall, she is a member of the duty team, coaching staff, and faculty advisors. Mara is a former rugby and softball player and loves music and theater.