English
The English Department at Oxbridge Academy is committed to providing students with a rigorous and challenging academic program that prepares them for college and beyond. Through literature study, we develop students' critical thinking, writing, and communication skills. We also foster a love of reading and literature and promote community and belonging among students.
The study of literature is essential for success in any field. By providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college and beyond, we are helping them to develop the critical thinking, writing, and communication skills that will allow them to thrive in the 21st century. Through literature, students learn about different cultures and perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their world.
We are committed to providing students with a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college and beyond. Studying literature is an essential part of a well-rounded education.
Faculty
Amy Jurskis
Academic Dean & English Teacher
Bio
Education:
B.A., University of Georgia
M.A., Agnes Scott College
Brief Background:
A faculty member since 2012, Mrs. Jurskis has worked in education for more than two decades. She was notably the English Department chair and ninth-grade academic coordinator at a performing arts magnet school in Atlanta, where she was honored as a Teacher of the Year in 2008. As a freelance writer for Random House, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins, she authored widely used teaching guides for several best-selling books.
Kevin Colling
English Teacher
Bio
Education:
B.A., St. Michael’s College
M.A., Regent University
Ph.D., Organizational Leadership/
Instructional leadership, Grand Canyon University
Brief Background:
Mr. Colling has worked in education since 1980, including 17 years as a principal in public and private schools. He also served as school improvement coordinator for the Vermont Department of Education, assistant headmaster of Westminster Schools of Augusta, Georgia, and headmaster of The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach. He has been teaching at Oxbridge since 2013.
Tracy Wolfe
Learning Support & English Teacher
Bio
Education:
B.S., Ed Special Education, English
Minor, Public Relations,
Benedictine University
B.A., Ed English Education,
University of North Florida
M.Ed, Special Education,
University of North Florida
Brief Background:
Mrs. Wolfe has worked in education and public relations. She was a special education teacher and department head in Illinois and North Carolina schools and handled public relations work for NASCAR. She joined Oxbridge Academy in 2015 and coached the girls’ basketball team from 2015 to 2019, winning state championships in 2018 and 2019 and three regional and district championships during her coaching tenure.
Jennette Peck
Learning Support & English Teacher
Bio
Education:
B.A., Ed English Education,
University of North Florida
M.Ed, Special Education, University of North Florida
Brief Background:
Ms. Peck joins Oxbridge Academy with extensive experience in teaching with former assignments at Andrew Jackson High School, Charlottesville High School, Morton Ranch High School, and Howell L. Watkins Middle School.
Wende Porter
English Teacher
Bio
Education:
B.S., Florida Atlantic University
M.A., Southern New Hampshire University
Brief Background:
Ms. Porter started her career as a social worker providing support coordination services to children and adults with developmental disabilities through her privately owned Palm Beach County-based company. At that time, Ms. Porter was also a board member and secretary of the Florida Association of Support Coordinators. Today, she is tri-certified in English, ESOL, and ESE. In 2009, she earned her National Boards for English Language Arts (NBCT) and since then, has worked in both private and public venues as an English teacher and an ESE teacher. She joined Oxbridge Academy in 2014.
Dr. Jelena Rakovic
English Teacher
Bio
Education:
B.A., English Language and Literature, The Faculty of Philosophy University, Novi Sad, Serbia
M.A., Lifelong Learning, The Danish School of Education, Copenhagen; and The University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
Ph.D., The University of Western Australia
Brief Background:
Dr. Rakovic started her career as an ESL teacher before pursuing higher education scholarship opportunities across various countries. A teacher training course in Oxford, UK, followed her undergraduate studies in Serbia. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Denmark and Spain and concluded her academic journey with a Ph.D. in Australia. Besides teaching English in various high school settings, Dr. Rakovic has also worked as an instructor for pre-service teachers at The Graduate School of Education in Western Australia and as a curriculum developer for English and Writing in Australian Indigenous schools. She started teaching at Oxbridge Academy in 2020.
Gabbi Roland
English Teacher & Psychology Teacher
Bio
Education:
B.A., University of Miami
Brief Background:
A South Florida native Ms. Roland has been a member of the Oxbridge Academy faculty member since 2019. With a love of the written word and an interest in the human condition, Ms. Roland is an avid writer. After graduating from the University of Miami, she worked with a South Florida non-profit organization where she continued to hone her writing skills. Since then, she has been published in several magazines. Her love of literature and the human condition and her desire to share that with others led her to education. Today, she teaches African-American Literature and Psychology At Oxbridge.
Jonathan Stellman
English Teacher & Head Football Coach
Bio
Education:
B.A., English Literature, Florida State University
M.Ed., Educational Leadership, American College of Education
Brief Background:
Mr. Stellman has taught English and Social Science in the greater South Florida area for the past fifteen years, including stops at South Fork High School, Royal Palm Beach High School, Oxbridge Academy and The Greene School. In addition to teaching English, Mr. Stellman is Oxbridge Academy's head football coach.
Ariste Metaxas
English Teacher
Bio
Education:
B.A., University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
M.A., Newcastle University, UK
Brief Background:
Mrs. Metaxas joined Oxbridge Academy in August 2023. She has been an international educator in Language and Literature, Film Studies, and Creative Writing for 20 years. She taught for the last nine years at North Broward Preparatory School with the IB Curriculum, where she was also the English Department Chair. Before this, Mrs. Metaxas lived and worked in N.E. Durham, England, for ten years at a Sixth Form College where she was a teacher and the Film and Media Studies Dept. Chair. Mrs. Metaxas has also lived and taught in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She brings her literary expertise and creative personalized learning to the English department at Oxbridge Academy, where she currently teaches English 3H, English 4, and Creative Writing.
Dr. Matthew Brandstetter
Speech & Debate Teacher
Bio
Education:
Specialized Diploma in Latin Literature, Gregorian University
B.A., Classical Civilization,
University of California, Irvine
M.A., Organization and Leadership,
University of San Francisco
M.A., Theology, Angelicum University
Ed.D., Educational Leadership K-12 Argosy University
M.S., Arizona State University (pending)
Brief Background:
In his multifaceted role as an entrepreneurial educator, Dr. Brandstetter boasts 31 years of tenured teaching and administrative experience across secondary and postsecondary settings. He holds positions as an online adjunct professor at McGeorge School of Law and Azusa Pacific University, specializing in the Schools of Education and Leadership Studies. Previously, he was a lead debate coach and instructor of public speaking and current events at Milton Academy and Packer Collegiate School.
Dr. Brandstetter's academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in Classical Civilization, supplemented by 26 graduate units in Classics from the University of Southern California. He pursued his master's and doctoral degrees in educational leadership, focusing his research on instructional cognitive coaching. Driven by a passion for organizational efficiency, he balances meticulous attention to detail with a visionary outlook. His expertise extends to working with students on the autism spectrum, augmented by training at Chapman University (ADOS-2), which instills in him an understanding and empathy for learners grappling with various challenges, including learning differences and English language acquisition.
He is renowned among his peers as an imaginative creator of experiential, project-based initiatives. Dr. Brandstetter is hailed for his entrepreneurial dedication, innovative spirit, and commitment to fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational programs. With a background in communication studies, he has achieved notable success in establishing and nurturing nationally acclaimed speech and debate programs across middle school, high school, and university platforms throughout his career.
Alejandra Povedano
English Teacher
Bio
Education:
B.A., English Literature/minor
Philosophy,
Providence College
Pre-Nursing Certification from Northwestern University
M.Ed., DePaul University
Brief Background:
Ms. Povedano taught middle school Language Arts and Social Studies in South Chicago before coming to Oxbridge Academy for the 2023-2024 school year. She previously worked as a Communications Associate for a nonprofit in Chicago, a Program Coordinator at Northwestern University, and a Data Systems Coordinator at Loyola University Chicago. She currently teaches English 1 Honors and English 3 and serves as faculty advisor to the Humanitarian Club.
Lily Jurskis
English Teacher
Bio
English Teacher
Education:
M.Div., Yale University
B.A. Literary Studies and Creative Writing, Marshall University, (Society of Yeager Scholars)
Brief Background:
Ms. Jurskis, a proud Oxbridge Academy alum '17, has returned to her alma mater to share her passion for education with her students. Since 2020, Ms. Jurskis has been a dynamic substitute teacher at Oxbridge, eventually becoming a full-time English teacher. An accomplished writer, poet, and visual artist, she has garnered numerous awards and is a sought-after public speaker and podcast guest. Ms. Jurkis brings a unique global perspective to her classroom, having studied art history, poetry, and English literature across Italy and England. Her diverse experiences and creative achievements make her a vibrant and inspiring presence in the classroom.
Course Offerings
- English 1 Courses
- English 2 & Honors English 2
- Honors Seminar English 2: American Literature
- English 3 & Honors English 3
- Honors Seminar English 3: British Literature
- English 4: Practical Wisdom
- Honors English 4: Film as Literature
- Honors Seminar English 4: Great Books
- English 4 Practical Wisdom
- Creative Writing 1
- Creative Writing 2
- Debate
- Honors Debate 2
- Honors Seminar Debate 3- Varsity Competition Debate
- Honors Seminar Debate 4- Advanced Competition Debate
English 1 Courses
ENGLISH 1
Year • No Prerequisites
English 1 is a survey course of classic and modern literature. Students will read works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, personal narrative, and drama. Through rigorous writing and discussion, students learn to think critically about the important themes in these works. Teachers emphasize a variety of writing techniques, strategies, and genres. In addition, students learn intermediate grammar and vocabulary.
HONORS ENGLISH 1
Year • Dept. Approval Required
This course surveys classic and modern literature where students read works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, personal narrative, and drama that focus on the journey of self discovery and the odyssey of the human experience. This course introduces the art of Socratic discussion as it relates to literature; developing their skills as collaborative thinkers and confident speakers. Students will study and practice the mechanics of good writing: grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary building as they are encouraged to develop their own voice and style. They will compose analytical, persuasive, reflective, and descriptive writing.
English 2 & Honors English 2
ENGLISH 2
Year • English 1 Required
English 2 students explore literary genres in American Literature to promote critical thinking and develop discussion and collaboration skills. Students will demonstrate command of the elements of effective composition and writing and will also read works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, personal narrative, and drama that focus on the role of the individual in the community and the tensions that frequently emerge in that dynamic.
HONORS ENGLISH 2
Year • English 1 & Dept. Approval Required
This course is intended for students who have shown exceptional promise in writing and literary analysis. Course readings will be drawn from a diverse body of American literature and will ask students to consider the role of the individual in the community and the tensions that frequently emerge in that dynamic. Writing instruction will guide students as they craft strong analytical arguments in response to texts and teach students how to effectively incorporate textual evidence and critical source materials into their essays.
Honors Seminar English 2: American Literature
HONORS SEMINAR ENGLISH 2
Year • Honors English 1 & Dept. Approval Required
Honors Seminar English 2 is an advanced seminar-style course in American Literature that will be taught in conjunction with Honors Seminar U.S. History. The course is a chronological study of American Literature, from colonial writing to the post-Civil Rights era. Major movements in American Literature will be covered: Romanticism, Transcendentalism, Realism, Harlem Renaissance, and Modernism.
English 3 & Honors English 3
ENGLISH 3
Year • English 2 Required
Students will read works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, personal narrative, and drama that focus on the efforts of individuals to develop empathy and make a difference in their social cultural contexts. As students explore the actions of protagonists who experience the impact of the world around them, they will examine questions about success and disappointment in working for change. In some cases, individuals triumph in overcoming
the obstacles to personal and social progress; in other situations, human beings must confront apparently insurmountable barriers to happiness and fulfillment. The majority of the texts studied in this class are from the 20th and 21st centuries.
HONORS ENGLISH 3
Year • English 2 & Department Approval Required
Students will read works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, personal narrative, and drama that focus on the human condition, specifically the efforts of individuals to make a difference in their social and cultural contexts. As students explore the actions of protagonists who experience the impact of the world, they will examine questions about success and disappointment in working for change. In some cases, individuals triumph in overcoming the obstacles to personal and social progress; in other situations, human beings must confront apparently insurmountable barriers to happiness and fulfillment. Students are expected to read a significant number of pre-20th-century texts.
Honors Seminar English 3: British Literature
HONORS SEMINAR ENGLISH 3 - BRITISH LITERATURE
Year • Honors English 2 & Department Approval Required
This course is a chronological study of British literature beginning in the Medieval period and ending just after WWI. Students will examine canonical texts, paying close attention to the historical context
as well as the immediate and long-term cultural impacts of each text. Students will be expected to participate in seminar-style discussions and write college-level literary analysis and research papers that incorporate both primary and critical courses.
English 4: Practical Wisdom
ENGLISH 4: PRACTICAL WISDOM
Year • English 3 Required
This course focuses on entrepreneurial and thought-provoking literature and personal and professional growth. Students will be required to keep a detailed journal, contributing to it daily, chronicling the growth of their thoughts and their plans. They will also compose a comprehensive “business plan” for their lives, including creating a credible, realistic business venture as the culminating product.
Honors English 4: Film as Literature
HONORS ENGLISH 4: FILM AS LITERATURE
Year • English 3 & Dept. Approval Required
In Film as Literature, the teacher will choose a relevant common theme for films viewed in the course. Students will view films from a variety of genres selected for their contributions to the thematic focus. Students will discuss and critique films in much of the same way as they study great literature. Plot or storyline, character development, setting and context, theme or message, and the director’s intent are all closely examined. Students will understand the mechanics of film as a storytelling vehicle and use technical filmmaking terms in their analysis. Numerous critical analysis essays, Socratic seminars, and research projects are required.
Honors Seminar English 4: Great Books
HONORS SEMINAR ENGLISH 4: GREAT BOOKS
Year • Honors Seminar English 3 & Dept. Approval Required
Students in this course will read works of literature that have withstood the test of time and offer distinct insights into the nature of human experience. Through close reading, discussions, research, presentations, and extensive writing, students will become familiar with the themes and issues embedded in these texts. Teachers select from a wide range of texts, including Morrison’s Beloved, the Greek theater, Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, Shakespeare’s King Lear, and Melville’s Moby Dick.
English 4 Practical Wisdom
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HONORS DIGITAL MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM YEARBOOK |
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This course is designed to provide students with a medium of self-expression through the hands-on production of both the creative and technical elements of yearbook assembly. Units of study include teamwork, responsibility, brainstorming, confidentiality, coverage, concept development, reporting, writing, headlines, captions, editing, photography, typography, design, marketing and distribution. Those enrolled in the course will make content, coverage, marketing campaigns, and design decisions in adherence to journalistic standards. Students work in teams in accordance with their areas of focus such as photography, design, writing, and marketing, under the leadership of student editors. *Can be used to fulfill Fine Arts credit requirement. |
Creative Writing 1
CREATIVE WRITING 1
Semester • Open to Grades 10-12
Students in this course will experiment with two creative genres— poetry and fiction—as a way to develop a familiarity with both genres and also explore their own creative voices. Over the semester, students can expect to generate original material, practice strategies for reading and talking about writing, and work toward creating a polished body of work. Students will read and consider published fiction and poetry, as well as their peers’ work. This course will also serve as an introduction and prerequisite to any of the upper-level creative writing courses offered at Oxbridge Academy.
Creative Writing 2
CREATIVE WRITING 2
Semester • Creative Writing 1 Required
This course offers students the opportunity to deepen their writing experience. Various genres will be considered including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, and drama. By the end of the semester, students will have created a self-directed work in a genre of interest. Students will revise their work to hone the skills acquired in Creative Writing 1.
Debate
DEBATE 1 (
Honors Available) Year • No Prerequisites
Students learn and try eight different types of public speaking and debate as they improve their skills in reading, research, organization, and communication. Public speaking formats include different areas of focus: current events, political topics, creative writing, improvisational speaking, and more. Students become more comfortable and skilled in speaking with and in front of others for a variety of purposes, including interpersonal and work-world communication strategies and real-world applications/public speaking. Competition is required for students in the Honors level.
Honors Debate 2
HONORS DEBATE 2
Year • Debate 1 or Instructor Approval Required
This class builds on the fundamentals taught in Debate 1, giving special weight to developing the skills needed for competing in Speech and Debate tournaments at the national level. The course focuses on an in-depth analysis of issues related to economics, government policy, international relations, as well as relevant social issues. Specific focus is given to understanding and deconstructing opposing viewpoints. Students will develop the skills needed to actively and successfully participate in Speech and Debate tournaments. Over the course, students will engage in advanced critical thinking, case construction, flowing techniques, and rhetorical development. Students are required to participate in four tournaments over the course of the year. Competition is required for this course.
Honors Seminar Debate 3- Varsity Competition Debate
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HONORS SEMINAR DEBATE 3 VARSITY COMPETITION DEBATE |
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Students learn and try eight different types of public speaking and debate as they improve their skills in reading, research, organization, and communication. Public speaking formats include different areas of focus: current events, political topics, creative writing, improvisational speaking, and more. Students become more comfortable and skilled in speaking with and in front of others for a variety of purposes, including interpersonal and work-world communication strategies and real-world applications/public speaking. Participation in tournaments is required. |
Honors Seminar Debate 4- Advanced Competition Debate
HONORS SEMINAR DEBATE 4 - ADVANCED COMPETITION DEBATE
Year • Honors Debate 3 and Instructor Approval Required
Debate 4 has three fundamental components: Critical analysis of issues and arguments, understanding past, present, and future implications of issues and arguments, and college-level written and oral communication ability. Building on the skill of critical analysis of arguments studied in Debate 3, Debate 4 will expose students to the implications of policies in nuanced and detailed ways. The course explores case studies of written and enacted policies and their long-term impacts. Students will analyze these policies through the lens of short-term and long-term impact and apply this skill to national speech and debate association topics. Debate 4 will also focus on critical analysis of rhetorical analysis in both written and video texts to continue bolstering students’ written and oral communication. Regular participation in tournaments is required. Students will complete an approved practicum assignment before the end of the course.
PLEASE NOTE: Course availability fluctuates from year to year. Please review the 2025-2026 Course Catalog for information on course availability and enrollment requirements.