This year, a slight change has been made to the AP Language class. Around 2020, English teacher Carol Eubank began teaching dual-credit English classes, including the AP Language class. Eubank has a Master’s in Education and a graduate certificate in Communication Studies, English Language Arts, and Educational Leadership. Eubank has taught this class since 2020, but there was a change at the beginning of this year. 

Journalism teacher Heather Nichols began sitting in on and co-teaching Eubank’s lessons to acclimate with the class.

Many students had enrolled in the course at the end of last school year, but Eubank only had time for one class period. Typically, when a class has a large enrollment, multiple sections can be opened, but Eubank needed more room in her schedule to do this certain course. By co-teaching, the two teachers can manage more students, and Nichols can learn more about how to teach the course, including the college expectations and the content. 

At this time, Nichols plans to take over the class.

To become an AP English teacher, Nichols had to take additional college courses in English to add to her Master’s Degree.  

“I wanted to become an AP teacher because I enjoy the mental challenge of working with a new class and trying to stay a step ahead of them. Plus, I love taking college courses. Becoming an AP teacher is a challenge for me and I hope I am good at it,” said Nichols.

So far, Eubank’s experience has also been educational. 

“Class with Mrs. Nichols has been wonderful.  We have very different teaching styles, so we have a lot to learn from each other,” said Eubank. 

A dual credit class is one in which the student can earn both high school and college credit for the subject. As such, the curriculum and assignments must be more rigorous than those of the average high school class and often require additional standards to be met. Many students pursue dual credit opportunities here at Paoli, and roughly 60 courses are available.