Twelve trimesters of English are required for graduation (three trimester courses per year for four years). Three electives must be taken in addition to the six requirements noted in the Course Description Booklet. Additional English electives are strongly recommended for college bound students and students interested in literature and writing. All English courses, except AP English, are one term in length. AP students are required to take the AP exam for their course in May. Students who are qualified will apply for AP English at the end of their junior year.


Click here for the English Department Course Descriptions

Ms. Bowers has been a teacher since 1988 and is in her sixth year at Loretto.  She has a BA in Communication Arts from Loyola Marymount University.  Mrs. Bowers received an MA in Shakespeare Studies from the University of Birmingham in England.    She worked at the University's graduate studies Shakespeare Institute in Stratford Upon Avon.  While she loves and adores all things Shakespearean, Mrs. Bowers also has many and varied interests, including trivia games.  In the 1980's she was on Jeopardy where she was a one-time champion.

Mrs. Cole taught English at Bishop Manogue High School before joining the Loretto faculty in 1990.  She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.  Mrs. Cole graduated from Notre Dame College, then moved to Sacramento with her husband who was stationed at McCllellan.  She sold tires to tire dealers before obtaining a teaching position in Sacramento.  Mrs. Cole enjoys reading classic novels, snow skiing in the Sierra's, and golfing at municipal courses.

Mrs. Faires  has taught for over 20 years and has been a member of the Loretto community for five years.  She earned a BA from Seattle University and recently completed a graduate degree in Curriculum & Instruction from there as well.  Prior to teaching, Mrs. Faires worked in retail at Nordstrom and later worked as a manufacturer's representative for Jansport.  She enjoys skiing, jogging and sailing in her spare time.

Ms. Wallior graduated from California State University, Chico with a degree in English. She completed an additional year to earn her teaching credential.  In 1974 Ms. Wallior began her teaching career.  She is proud of a very diverse teaching career; her experience spans 3rd grade through 12th.  By the time she retires she will have spent half of her career at Loretto.  When she is not  teaching she is completing the renovation of her home and working on her garden both of which she finds extremely relaxing and satisfying.  Naturally she loves to read especially on a summer afternoon while floating in the pool!  Her family is her top priority; she enjoys spending time with them on weekends and holidays.  Ms. Wallior is grateful for a happy and fulfilling life!

Mrs. Wanket  has been teaching for eighteen years.  She has been teaching at Loretto since 2005.  She earned her bachelor's degree in English Literature at U.C. Santa Cruz, and her teaching credential at Chapman University.  When Ms. Wanket is not teaching, she is writing novels, short stories, and nonfiction articles about issues in education, the natural childbirth movement, and spending time with her family.