Michael Portas

I taught high school English for 14 years before making the move to administration. My primary areas were American Literature, American Studies, AP Literature and Composition, and writing. I also was involved in developing standardized test prep that was not mindless. One of my teachers recommended I check out TPT because I have loads of files that I like to think are good

Every day should be part of a sustained conversation about ourselves, our learning, our world and our lives. The literature and writing opportunities give us a chance to assess the development of skills and push the development of citizens. I am no longer in the classroom, but my kids teased me that I was a cross between Dr. Cox from Scrubs and Tony Robbins. I think that was intended as a complement. We wrote nearly every day, we examined texts, we argued, we laughed (in the words of Voltaire, "frequently and hard") and celebrated what our hard work and curiosity could produce.

Thank you notes from students and their families are the best honors I ever received. Think about the trust our communities place in us -- it is awesome in the truest sense of the word -- and it is a blessing to know that we impact their lives.

Yet to be added

Proud to have three wonderful boys and a terrific dog under my roof. My wife's pretty good to have around too!