Dr. Jordan Adler

Subject: Language Arts

What will my child walk away with? The ability to write with clarity and purpose, and to engage critically with the texts we will read and explore together. I hope they will find, through in-class discussions about culture and language, new and creative ways to see the world around them. 

What can families expect? A teacher who takes the feedback process seriously as a craft in itself. I am committed to helping students see the value of their writing clearly, identify paths for revision, and feel creatively empowered to succeed as they tackle new genres of writing.

What does class actually feel like? Collaborative and fun. I like to give students genuine opportunities to explore ideas that resonate with them emotionally and intellectually, because that investment produces the most interesting and original work. Students are not writing for me — they are writing toward something that matters to them. I love to let students find colourful outlets for their curious minds, whether it’s drawing on our class whiteboards or participating in spirited debate on the weekly themes. 

How do you challenge a curious mind? I raise the standard for what counts as an insightful or persuasive argument. A capable student can summarize a text and come up with a vivid thesis; however, it takes a virtuoso to explain with precision (and ample evidence) how or why their core argument is unimpeachable. 

Credentials and Experience Ph.D. in English (media and cinema studies focus), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. M.A. in Film Studies, Concordia University. B.J. in Journalism, Carleton University. Six years of university teaching experience across English composition, film and TV studies, and business writing. Six years of tutoring and mentorship experience with middle-school, high-school, and university students. Academic essays published in Jump Cut, AJS Perspectives, and Studies in the Fantastic. Arts journalism for Canadian and international publications.