Email: Ashley.Annand@washoeschools.net

Welcome to my English/Language Arts class! My name is Ashley Annand, and I am in my 10th year of teaching middle school.

I grew up in Spanish Springs and have lived here for over 20 years. Outside of Spanish Springs, I lived in Boise, Idaho for five years while I attended college. I played softball for Boise State University, where I earned my Bachelor's degree in Teaching English and a second Bachelor's in Writing.

 After I graduated, I moved back to Reno, where I began teaching at Shaw Middle School. During my time there, I earned my Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix in Administration and Supervision. 

I have now been at Sky Ranch Middle for five years, and I just recently achieved my National Board Certification in teaching English Language Arts/ Early Adolescence. 

 Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Chase, and chasing our two wild boys around, Colton and Collier. 

I look forward to having a great year with you!

• Late Assignments 
• Digital- students must complete the 'late work Microsoft form.' This is a channel in students' ELA Microsoft Team.
• Paper- students can submit these during class, at lunch, before school, or after school to the bin labeled "Late or Absent." 
• Late assignments start at 70%. 
• Late assignments will be inputted on the Friday AFTER submitted. 
• Retakes
• Retake requirements are reviewed in class, posted on the board in class, and posted in the comments section of the assessment in Infinite Campus.
• Written Assessments will be revised and edited with a one on one study session. These will have a deadline. 
• Tests will require an additional assignment and have a new test date. 

 Why Independent Reading? 

Studies have consistently shown a strong correlation between academic success and students who read independently. Independent readers show a greater increase in vocabulary, reading comprehension, verbal fluency, and general information. Reading exposes students to the amount of new vocabulary they need to be successful in school. This is something that cannot be done in class or through conversations. 

 This year students will choose their "growth challenge" from three different options: reading a book .1-.5 above their reading grade level, reading a book over 300 pages, or reading a # of books agreed upon with me when we set goals at the beginning of each quarter. This 50-point assessment grade will be based on an average of their AR reading tests and their success meeting their growth challenge (see the rubric below). Please reach out to me via email with any questions.