Thomas Rooke

Thomas Rooke is in his fifth year of teaching English to general and special education populations at James Madison High School in Brooklyn, NY. He worked with the Great Books Summer Reading Program at Amherst College for several summers as a discussion leader and creative writing teacher. He did his student teaching at Deerfield High School, IL.

Thomas integrates reading and writing instruction in a highly structured curriculum that employs developmental and workshop approaches to achieve strong results. His curriculum design is particularly influenced by Wilhelm's inquiry-based approach, the "backward design" approach of Wiggins and McTighe, and by the "gradual release of responsibility" model of Vygotsky. Thomas strives to use discussion and collaborative group work activities that cultivate a love for literature and critical analysis, that provide access points for all learner-types, and that effectively prepare students for success in life and on standardized tests.

Thomas has secured $2,778 in books and school supplies via www.donorschoose.org. Although he has not been able to attend to his writing in some time, his story “The Spider” was published in Helicon Literary Magazine in Spring 2008.

Thomas is currently matriculated in the MA English program at Brooklyn College. He did additional graduate coursework in teaching students with disabilities through the College of St. Rose. Thomas completed his BA in English and Psychology at Northwestern University.

Thomas speaks Norwegian, has studied Latin and Italian, and has traveled throughout Europe. He is a huge fan of the Northwestern Wildcats football team.