English

Graduation Requirement: Four years of Upper School study.

We value critical and appreciative reading, lucid and beautiful writing, logical and imaginative thinking. In the English department, we hope to develop reverence for, and understanding of, literature as a direct path to these skills and habits.

By leading a thoughtful exploration of engaging works of literature, we help students begin to ponder human nature, the world around them and their place in it.

The study of literature also prompts questions related to craft and composition. To communicate their insights, ideas and questions, students need a clear sense of sentence, paragraph and essay structure, and they need to be aware of the many choices available to them as writers and speakers. To that end, the English faculty teach a wide range of writing, reading and speaking skills at all levels, designed to foster precision and elegance in composition and in thought.


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Meet Our English Faculty

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Daniel Barocas

Daniel Barocas

Titles: Class of 2026 Dean, English Teacher
Biography:

B.A.—English
M.A.—Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Graduate Certificate—Native American Studies

"Kent Denver has a rich tradition of both academic excellence and real-world preparation for its students. I enjoy immersing myself in the Sun Devil community and fostering impactful and lasting relationships with students and faculty members alike."

Mr. Barocas joined Kent Denver after 12 years at Overland High School, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 2017. At Overland, he served as an English teacher, yearbook advisor, boys' lacrosse coach and Student Council sponsor among other duties.

Tim Barry

Tim Barry

Titles: Teaching Fellow
Biography:

B.A.—Policy Studies
B.A.—Theater

“I enjoy working in a school because I have the opportunity to get to know students in different facets of their lives through teaching, coaching and advising. It’s also great to learn from and collaborate with the incredibly smart and welcoming faculty members.”

Mr. Barry transitioned to the educational world in 2023, and he’s excited to help students pursue their many interests and step out of their comfort zone to try new experiences. Before Kent Denver, he worked at Amazon as an Operations Area Manager and Recruiter. He brings a diverse background of experience to his new role at the school, having worked in politics as a Legislative Intern with the U.S. House of Representatives, theater as a Marketing and Production Intern with The Actors Ensemble, writing as a Writing Associate in his College Writing Program and more.

Having previously mentored students in a variety of roles—including with adolescent-aged children as a Camp Counselor with the Boys and Girls Club—Mr. Barry looks forward to contributing to Kent Denver’s mission of transforming the lives of students and community through extraordinary educational experiences.

Loni DesJardin

Loni DesJardin

Titles: Chair, English Department, English Teacher
Biography:

B.A.—English Education
M.A.—English Education

"I want my professional legacy to be that of a kind, fun-loving teacher who helped students become comfortable and confident in speaking and writing...a good joke teller."

Prior to joining Kent Denver, Ms. DesJardin worked in a girls' school in Nashville, Tennessee. She enjoys Kent Denver because, she says, "the community is THE BEST!"

"The kids energize me. I love every aspect of teaching high schoolers—academically, socially and emotionally," Ms. DesJardin says. "I get to know them on a personal level and show them how much I care."

Andrew Dranginis

Andrew Dranginis

Titles: English Teacher
Biography:

M.A.T.—Secondary English
B.A.—English and American Literature

Mr. Dranginis joined Kent Denver in 2017 from The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey.

Christina Fakharzadeh

Christina Fakharzadeh

Class of 1994
Titles: English Teacher, History Teacher
Biography:

B.A.—English and Sociology/Anthropology
M.A.—Educational Psychology

"I love nurturing young minds and inspiring kids to expand their perspectives in an attempt to develop culturally-competent leaders of tomorrow."

Prior to teaching at Kent Denver, Ms. Fakharzadeh '94 traveled the world with her husband. She lived in London for two years, and during this time she explored eastern and western Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and southeast Asia and Oceania.

Ashley Farris

Ashley Farris

Titles: English Teacher
Biography:

B.A.—English Literature

Ms. Farris joined the Kent Denver family in 2021 after teaching for more than a decade around the country—including positions at Renaissance Academy in Baltimore, Marylan, STRIVE Preparatory Schools and, most recently, KIPP Denver in Advanced Placement English Language and Composition. She’s passionate about creating diverse and rigorous learning opportunities for students.

Aniele Hawkins

Aniele Hawkins

Titles: English Teacher, Middle School Dean of Instruction
Biography:

B.S.—Secondary English Education
M.S.—Curriculum and Instruction

"Each year, I grow and change along with my students. Whether we are exploring literature, participating in academic conversations, discussing the best way to approach a problem, camping in the mountains or laughing about life, life with middle-schoolers brings me immeasurable joy."

Sydney Lang

Sydney Lang

Titles: English Teacher
Biography:

B.S.—English Education

"I believe that storytelling is integral to the human experience because it breeds empathy."

Prior to her arrival at Kent Denver, Ms. Lang served as an English teacher and coach at the 'Iolani School in Honolulu, Hawaii, and worked as a student teacher at Williamsburg Preparatory High School in Brooklyn, New York.

Sara Larson

Sara Larson

Titles: Class of 2024 Dean, English Teacher
Biography:

B.A.—English and Technical Writing

"In working with Kent Denver students, I get to experience the beauty, the a-ha moments, the innovation, the inquiry, and the joy that exists within the adolescent mind. It's exciting to think about how our students will impact and influence our changing world! There's space to create, question, revise and synthesize. I am fortunate enough to be able to listen to students' goals and allow for reflection along the way."

A seasoned educator, Ms. Larson joined Kent Denver in 2021 after serving as a teacher, department chair, and most recently, assistant principal at KIPP Denver Collegiate High School in Denver. Before that, she taught at Sheridan High School and was the diversity and equity facilitator at Teach for America.

David Marais

David Marais

Titles: English Teacher
Biography:

B.Ed.—Curriculum Design and TESOL
B.A. (Honors)—English Literature, Language and History

“I love working in an environment that fosters creative, curious learners within a model of hearty, compassionate collaboration. Kent Denver’s commitment to health and wellness, in addition to academic readiness, is amazing. I am thrilled to be a part of the journey for these students as they navigate their way through high school.”

As a full-time teacher since 1995, Mr. Marais believes that one never ceases to learn. He takes that belief into the classroom as he helps his students become lifelong learners while developing vital skills in reading, writing and analysis. He started his career teaching English at a high school in Cape Town, South Africa, and now comes to Kent Denver after being at Stanley British Primary School for the last 26 years. There, he served as division head, a language arts and social studies teacher, advisor, soccer coach and more. In the summer of 2023, Mr. Marais taught an escape room creative writing course through Kent Denver’s summer camp program for fifth through eighth graders. He’s excited to help his students at Kent Denver develop a real love of learning that is relevant for their academic, social and emotional development.

Anne Moyer

Anne Moyer

Titles: English Teacher
Biography:

B.A.—English Literature
M.A.—English Literature

"I help students enter new worlds via literature, see things from new perspectives, and learn to articulate and understand their own values. I feel my role makes a difference because critical reading and writing helps students become more empathetic."

In addition to her passion for teaching and reading, Ms. Moyer enjoys spending time hiking, skiing, and exploring nature with her family.

Todd Schayes

Todd Schayes

Titles: English Teacher, History Teacher, Head Coach: Boys' Basketball
Biography:

B.S.—Business Management
M.A.—Educational Psychology
Kent Denver Middle School Teacher of the Year, 2001
Metropolitan League Hall of Fame (Basketball), 2009

"Sixth-graders have a thirst for knowledge and the energy and enthusiasm to succeed!"

Before coming to Kent Denver, Mr. Schayes coached basketball at Methodist University in North Carolina. He says everyone in the Kent Denver community—faculty, staff, administrators, parents and students—is pulling in the same direction, with the common goal being excellence in scholarship and character for all.

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