Experienced High School English Teacher Specializing in Essay Writing

Nathan K.

ACT English

Licensed English teacher

ACT Reading

Licensed English teacher

Creative Writing

As a licensed high school English teacher with a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, I teach creative writing as part of my English curriculum, helping students develop original stories, personal narratives, descriptive writing, and fictional works. I guide students through every stage of the creative writing process, including brainstorming ideas, developing characters, creating engaging settings, organizing plot structure, writing effective dialogue, and revising for clarity and style. My classroom emphasizes finding each student's unique voice while strengthening literary techniques such as imagery, figurative language, characterization, pacing, and theme. I provide individualized feedback that helps students become more confident, creative, and effective writers. Whether a student is writing for school, competitions, or personal enjoyment, I focus on helping them craft engaging, original pieces that communicate their ideas clearly and creatively.

Debate

I have over nine years of experience coaching high school speech and debate and am an NSDA Speech & Debate Educator Endorsed coach. Since founding my school's debate program, I have coached students in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, Student Congress, and a variety of speech events. During my coaching career, I have guided seven students to qualify for the National Speech & Debate Tournament and coached eight North Dakota state champions. My coaching emphasizes argument development, case writing, evidence analysis, cross-examination strategy, rebuttal organization, refutation, public speaking, and persuasive communication. I work with students of all experience levels, from beginners learning debate fundamentals to advanced competitors preparing for state and national tournaments. In addition to coaching competitors, I have organized and hosted large speech and debate tournaments, trained judges, and mentored students in research, critical thinking, and effective advocacy. My goal is to help students become confident speakers, stronger critical thinkers, and successful competitors both inside and outside the debate round.

English

Licensed English Teacher

Essay Writing

As a licensed high school English teacher with a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, I have extensive experience teaching students how to write effective essays across multiple genres. I regularly teach narrative, argumentative, literary analysis, informative, and research essays to high school students, guiding them through every stage of the writing process—from brainstorming and thesis development to organization, revision, and editing. I help students strengthen their introductions, body paragraphs, evidence integration, analysis, transitions, and conclusions while emphasizing clarity, grammar, and strong academic voice. I also provide instruction in MLA formatting, citation, and revision strategies that prepare students for high school, college, and standardized assessments such as the ACT. In addition to classroom teaching, I have coached students individually to improve their writing confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and produce well-organized, polished essays. My goal is to help each student become a more effective and independent writer who can succeed on classroom assignments, college applications, and beyond.

Fiction Writing

As a licensed high school English teacher with a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, I teach students the foundations of fiction writing through narrative and creative writing units. I help students develop original stories by focusing on character development, plot structure, setting, dialogue, point of view, conflict, pacing, and theme. Throughout the writing process, I guide students from brainstorming and outlining to drafting, revising, and editing their work. I provide individualized feedback that helps students strengthen their storytelling, improve descriptive language, create believable characters, and develop a unique writing voice. My goal is to help students become confident fiction writers while learning the techniques that make stories engaging and effective. In addition to teaching writing mechanics, I emphasize creativity, organization, and revision strategies that help students produce polished, original fiction suitable for classroom assignments, writing competitions, or personal projects.

Grammar

Licensed English teacher

Linguistics

As a licensed high school English teacher with a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, I have extensive experience teaching the structure and use of the English language. My instruction includes grammar, syntax, semantics, morphology, vocabulary development, language variation, and the relationship between language and communication. I help students understand how language functions by analyzing sentence structure, word formation, meaning, and patterns of language use. I guide students in developing a deeper understanding of English through close analysis of grammar, usage, and language conventions while helping them apply these concepts to writing, reading, and effective communication. My background in English education allows me to explain complex language concepts in clear, accessible ways that build students' confidence and strengthen their understanding of language.

Public Speaking

I have more than nine years of experience coaching speech and debate and am an NSDA Speech & Debate Educator Endorsed coach. Throughout my career, I have taught students the skills necessary to become confident and effective public speakers, including speech organization, audience engagement, vocal delivery, body language, eye contact, pacing, and persuasive communication. I have coached students in a variety of public speaking events, including Original Oratory, Informative Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Student Congress, and debate. My students have earned seven qualifications to the National Speech & Debate Tournament and have won eight North Dakota state championships. Whether a student is preparing for a classroom presentation, a speech competition, a college interview, or simply wants to become a more confident speaker, I provide individualized coaching that focuses on clear organization, effective delivery, confidence, and audience connection. My goal is to help students communicate their ideas with poise, professionalism, and impact.

Thesis Writing

As a licensed high school English teacher with a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, I have extensive experience teaching students how to develop clear, focused thesis statements and organize effective academic writing. I regularly teach argumentative, analytical, literary analysis, and research essays, helping students build strong central claims supported by logical reasoning and credible evidence. In addition to teaching writing in the classroom, I completed graduate-level research and writing as part of my master's degree, giving me firsthand experience with academic research, organization, revision, and scholarly writing. I help students strengthen thesis statements, improve organization, integrate evidence, develop analysis, and revise for clarity and coherence. Whether a student is writing a research paper, literary analysis, persuasive essay, or other academic project, I focus on helping them develop a clear argument and communicate their ideas effectively while building the writing skills needed for success in high school and college.