Ms. Eileen Carlson

Welcome

Welcome to a new year and a new start!  This is going to be my 29th year teaching in this district and my 36th year in education overall, but every year brings new choices, new challenges, and new successes.  I’m sure the same will be true for you, so make the decision to make this a great year for yourself.

My Education and Professional Background

I earned my BA from St. Ambrose University way back in 1987.  Substitute teaching was my first gig before I moved on to full-time teaching in Dyersville, Iowa—yes, the home of the “Field of Dreams”—and eventually here in Savanna.  Over the years I have taken a variety of courses relating to education, English Language Arts, and coaching.  My experience includes varsity and junior varsity volleyball coaching along with teaching every age from 7th grade to 12th.  This year I am teaching English 2 and 2H, English 3H, and Creative Writing/Novels.

My Educational Philosophy

I like my students to think of me as a resource.  School is their job right now, and I’m here to help them do their job.  That means not just becoming a better reader or writer, but also becoming a better thinker and worker.  “Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not. It is the first lesson that ought to be learned and however early a man's training begins, it is probably the last lesson that he learns thoroughly.”― Thomas Henry Huxley, Collected Essays

My Contact Information

The best way to contact me is through email at [email protected] so you are ensured a timely response.  If you email me during regular school hours I will generally respond the same day.  Emails received after school hours or on weekends will usually be answered on the next school day.  You may also call the high school at 815-273-7715 and leave a message for me, but the response may be delayed as I have to wait until I have time and privacy to return a phone call.