John Strand
11/12 Literature
IB Language A (English)  Higher Level, Grades 11 and 12
Room 211
John. Strand@ mpls.k12.mn.us
     I have taught in Minneapolis Public Schools since 1997. I was at South High for one year, Patrick Henry for seven years, and since 2007 at Thomas Edison. 
     I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Hope College in Holland Michigan in 1986. After college, I was a church-based volunteer in Katmandu, Nepal for two years before returning to Minnesota. Upon return, I worked as a counselor at Children's Residential Treatment Center, a facility for severely emotionally disturbed adolescents for seven years before returning to Augsburg College where I earned my teaching licensure in English/Langauge Arts. I also took a leave of absence from Minneapolis Public Schools in 2005, and taught English for a year in Spain.
    
    I teach English because I love language and literature and because I love working with young people. I believe that all students can learn and that intelligence is effort-based. That is to say that a student's achievement will be based on his or her attitude and willingness to work. I also try to practice what I preach: I am a passionate reader and writer. 
     Outside of my teaching, I love reading, writing, travel (I have traveled extensively in Asia, Latin America, and Europe, including teaching in Spain for a year), cross-country skiing, climbing, bicycling,