To email one of our English teachers, click on his or her name.
Lorraine Arvizo
B.A., English Education, Colorado State University
Ms. Arvizo is a Northglenn High School graduate and is excited to be back as a teacher. She believes that each student should become a well-rounded student, learning different skills and techniques in English class and applying them to other classes. Ms. Arvizo looks forward to see how her current and future students continue to thrive using the STEM model to further their education. Find out more on her website.
B.A., English Education, Colorado State University
Ms. Arvizo is a Northglenn High School graduate and is excited to be back as a teacher. She believes that each student should become a well-rounded student, learning different skills and techniques in English class and applying them to other classes. Ms. Arvizo looks forward to see how her current and future students continue to thrive using the STEM model to further their education. Find out more on her website.
Lindsay C. Brown
B.A., English Literature, University of Colorado Boulder
Ms. Brown is a graduate of Northglenn High School and is excited to be teaching at her alma mater. She believes in creating a colorful, culturally responsive classroom that allows students to take risks and to learn. Ms. Brown encourages her students to work individually, in partners, in small groups, and as a class to support learning in a variety of ways. Since becoming a teacher at Northglenn, Ms. Brown has attended trainings in STEM, Laying the Foundation, Literacy Design Collaborative, and writing. As someone who loves to learn, Ms. Brown is always looking for more opportunities to learn and grow as a human and a teacher, please consult her website.
B.A., English Literature, University of Colorado Boulder
Ms. Brown is a graduate of Northglenn High School and is excited to be teaching at her alma mater. She believes in creating a colorful, culturally responsive classroom that allows students to take risks and to learn. Ms. Brown encourages her students to work individually, in partners, in small groups, and as a class to support learning in a variety of ways. Since becoming a teacher at Northglenn, Ms. Brown has attended trainings in STEM, Laying the Foundation, Literacy Design Collaborative, and writing. As someone who loves to learn, Ms. Brown is always looking for more opportunities to learn and grow as a human and a teacher, please consult her website.
Cory Clawson
B.A., English Literature, Fort Lewis College
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Colorado Denver
A passionate life-long consumer of all written material, from Shakespeare to cereal boxes, committed to sharing the magic and wonder of words to his students, Mr. Clawson brings his infectious enthusiasm for language into the classroom every day. Although public perception has it that writers toil in lonely isolation, as an alumni of the Denver Writing Project, Mr. Clawson sees collaboration as the heart of the craft. A peek into his classroom would reveal students actively encouraging each-other, using guided feedback to become more accomplished wordsmiths. As communication and critical thought is at the core of all human interaction, he sees his career as a vital component in maintaining both our individualism and a strong democracy. Having taught classes ranging from Literacy to Advanced Placement Language, Mr. Clawson has taught thousands of students in his career at Northglenn High thus far, and looks forward to instructing and inspiring students for many years to come. If you need to reach out to Mr. Clawson, visit his website.
B.A., English Literature, Fort Lewis College
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Colorado Denver
A passionate life-long consumer of all written material, from Shakespeare to cereal boxes, committed to sharing the magic and wonder of words to his students, Mr. Clawson brings his infectious enthusiasm for language into the classroom every day. Although public perception has it that writers toil in lonely isolation, as an alumni of the Denver Writing Project, Mr. Clawson sees collaboration as the heart of the craft. A peek into his classroom would reveal students actively encouraging each-other, using guided feedback to become more accomplished wordsmiths. As communication and critical thought is at the core of all human interaction, he sees his career as a vital component in maintaining both our individualism and a strong democracy. Having taught classes ranging from Literacy to Advanced Placement Language, Mr. Clawson has taught thousands of students in his career at Northglenn High thus far, and looks forward to instructing and inspiring students for many years to come. If you need to reach out to Mr. Clawson, visit his website.
Maria Clinton
B.A., English, San Jose State University
M.A., Educational Leadership, San Jose State University
Mrs. Clinton began teaching in San Jose, California in 1990, and moved to Colorado in 2008. She is licensed for both English and English as a Second Language, and has also taught AP Literature and AP Language. In addition to her classes, Clinton advises LINK Crew, a club that helps freshmen transition successfully to high school. Some highlights of her career include opening a new school in San Jose, helping Northglenn High School transition into a STEM school, and contributing to several chapters in the book, Teaching Writing Grades 9-12 in an Era of Assessment: Passion or Practice. Mrs. Clinton is also a California Writing Project graduate. For more information, please consult her website.
B.A., English, San Jose State University
M.A., Educational Leadership, San Jose State University
Mrs. Clinton began teaching in San Jose, California in 1990, and moved to Colorado in 2008. She is licensed for both English and English as a Second Language, and has also taught AP Literature and AP Language. In addition to her classes, Clinton advises LINK Crew, a club that helps freshmen transition successfully to high school. Some highlights of her career include opening a new school in San Jose, helping Northglenn High School transition into a STEM school, and contributing to several chapters in the book, Teaching Writing Grades 9-12 in an Era of Assessment: Passion or Practice. Mrs. Clinton is also a California Writing Project graduate. For more information, please consult her website.
Cindy Hilliard
B.A., English, University of Colorado Boulder
M.A., Education
Ms. Hilliard draws upon her knowledge and love of literature as well as her veteran teacher status to inspire her students’ success in English. Her enthusiasm for the subject and her experience with all levels of ability help her in her hope to instill a love a reading and the endless possibilities that thorough comprehension of the language provides. The fact that all business, learning, and personal interactions are reliant upon comprehensive communication skills makes her classes important to the STEM learning experience for every student. Ms. Hilliard is also a graduate of the Denver Writing Project. Visit her website.
B.A., English, University of Colorado Boulder
M.A., Education
Ms. Hilliard draws upon her knowledge and love of literature as well as her veteran teacher status to inspire her students’ success in English. Her enthusiasm for the subject and her experience with all levels of ability help her in her hope to instill a love a reading and the endless possibilities that thorough comprehension of the language provides. The fact that all business, learning, and personal interactions are reliant upon comprehensive communication skills makes her classes important to the STEM learning experience for every student. Ms. Hilliard is also a graduate of the Denver Writing Project. Visit her website.
Brian Hufford
B.A., English/Speech Communications, University of Northern Colorado
M.A., Secondary Administration, Grand Canyon University
Mr. Hufford has been teaching Language Arts in District 12 for 11 years. His classroom centers around a positive climate where learning is the top priority through a safe, student-centered classroom. He became a teacher to help students achieve academic success and reach their potential. Mr. Hufford has taught everything from Freshman English to senior level courses. For more information about Mr. Hufford, visit his class website.
B.A., English/Speech Communications, University of Northern Colorado
M.A., Secondary Administration, Grand Canyon University
Mr. Hufford has been teaching Language Arts in District 12 for 11 years. His classroom centers around a positive climate where learning is the top priority through a safe, student-centered classroom. He became a teacher to help students achieve academic success and reach their potential. Mr. Hufford has taught everything from Freshman English to senior level courses. For more information about Mr. Hufford, visit his class website.
Alice L. Smith
B.S., Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Colorado at Boulder
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Colorado at Denver
As an English Language Arts teacher and a STEM educator, Ms. Smith believes in helping students become persuasive communicators, problem solvers, and creative innovators. Her classroom structure is based on a fully collaborative, workshop model – a place where students work in groups to direct their own learning, the teacher facilitates the process, and student voice is paramount. Prior to becoming an educator, Ms. Smith worked in the marketing field for a civil engineering firm and a healthcare company, and she regularly draws upon that experience when designing educational opportunities for her students. She is also trained in AP Language and AP Literature, and is a Denver Writing Project fellow. To learn more about Ms. Smith, visit her class website.
B.S., Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Colorado at Boulder
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Colorado at Denver
As an English Language Arts teacher and a STEM educator, Ms. Smith believes in helping students become persuasive communicators, problem solvers, and creative innovators. Her classroom structure is based on a fully collaborative, workshop model – a place where students work in groups to direct their own learning, the teacher facilitates the process, and student voice is paramount. Prior to becoming an educator, Ms. Smith worked in the marketing field for a civil engineering firm and a healthcare company, and she regularly draws upon that experience when designing educational opportunities for her students. She is also trained in AP Language and AP Literature, and is a Denver Writing Project fellow. To learn more about Ms. Smith, visit her class website.
Sarah Steinbach-Ball
B.A. English, Colorado State University
Ms. Steinbach is an English teacher and STEM Educator at Northglenn High School. Though she has been teaching for over 20 years, she makes it her mission to bring new and innovative teaching practices to her classroom so that her students are practicing 21st Century skills on a daily basis. Ms. Steinbach is the Instructional Leader/Department Chair of the English Department. Additionally she has been trained extensively in AP Curriculum and works as a national Pre-AP Trainer for the National Math and Science Initiative based out of Dallas, Texas. She is also a Denver Writing Project graduate. For more information about Ms. Steinbach, visit her website.
B.A. English, Colorado State University
Ms. Steinbach is an English teacher and STEM Educator at Northglenn High School. Though she has been teaching for over 20 years, she makes it her mission to bring new and innovative teaching practices to her classroom so that her students are practicing 21st Century skills on a daily basis. Ms. Steinbach is the Instructional Leader/Department Chair of the English Department. Additionally she has been trained extensively in AP Curriculum and works as a national Pre-AP Trainer for the National Math and Science Initiative based out of Dallas, Texas. She is also a Denver Writing Project graduate. For more information about Ms. Steinbach, visit her website.
Carrie Strachan
B.A., English Secondary Education, Metropolitan State University
As an English teacher, Ms. Strachan believes in supporting students in becoming critical thinkers through speaking, reading, writing, and listening. She engages students by helping them meet rigorous curriculum by providing different classroom structures including independent assignments and group collaboration. She is especially successful in engaging the whole class in Socratic Seminar discussions. Since she has been at Northglenn High school, she has been trained in Advanced Placement and uses AP strategies to prepare all students for college. Find out more on her website.
B.A., English Secondary Education, Metropolitan State University
As an English teacher, Ms. Strachan believes in supporting students in becoming critical thinkers through speaking, reading, writing, and listening. She engages students by helping them meet rigorous curriculum by providing different classroom structures including independent assignments and group collaboration. She is especially successful in engaging the whole class in Socratic Seminar discussions. Since she has been at Northglenn High school, she has been trained in Advanced Placement and uses AP strategies to prepare all students for college. Find out more on her website.
Joe Wallin
B.A., English, University of Colorado
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Colorado at Denver
Mr. Wallin has been teaching Language Arts in District 12 for 26 years, the first seven at Westlake Junior High and then at Northglenn High School for the last 19 years. His classroom centers around a positive climate of language, learning and laughter. He believes in helping his students become innovative thinkers, passionate readers, purposeful writers, and engaging speakers. He is a proud supporter of the mighty Norse and firmly believes that he has been blessed by working in an awesome environment filled with excellent colleagues and great students.
B.A., English, University of Colorado
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Colorado at Denver
Mr. Wallin has been teaching Language Arts in District 12 for 26 years, the first seven at Westlake Junior High and then at Northglenn High School for the last 19 years. His classroom centers around a positive climate of language, learning and laughter. He believes in helping his students become innovative thinkers, passionate readers, purposeful writers, and engaging speakers. He is a proud supporter of the mighty Norse and firmly believes that he has been blessed by working in an awesome environment filled with excellent colleagues and great students.
Breanna Young
B.A., English Education, Colorado State University
Mrs. Young went to Northglenn High School as a freshman, but graduated from Mountain Range High School. After graduating from Colorado State University, she taught for four years at Adams City High School in Commerce City, CO where both of her parent were also teachers for 30 years. She is currently working on her master's program through CU Boulder in Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity with an endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. Mrs. Young loves seeings students get smarter every day by reading and writing authentic and real world texts. She believes that whoever is the one doing the reading, writing, listening, and speaking is the one getting smarter. It is because of that belief that she structures her class time to ensure that students have the majority of the class period to read, write, talk, and listen to their peers. Find out more about her classes on her website. mrsbyoung.weebly.com
B.A., English Education, Colorado State University
Mrs. Young went to Northglenn High School as a freshman, but graduated from Mountain Range High School. After graduating from Colorado State University, she taught for four years at Adams City High School in Commerce City, CO where both of her parent were also teachers for 30 years. She is currently working on her master's program through CU Boulder in Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity with an endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. Mrs. Young loves seeings students get smarter every day by reading and writing authentic and real world texts. She believes that whoever is the one doing the reading, writing, listening, and speaking is the one getting smarter. It is because of that belief that she structures her class time to ensure that students have the majority of the class period to read, write, talk, and listen to their peers. Find out more about her classes on her website. mrsbyoung.weebly.com