Mission of the Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts English Department
The Department of English at Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts, empowers students to read the world around them and to write their own story. Through close reading, critical thinking, and careful analysis, our students engage with literary and informational texts in a process strengthening their role as global citizens.
Our English Faculty
Mrs. Annette Gebhardt
Mrs. Gebhardt grew up in New Castle, Delaware. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English at Liberty University and her master’s degree in Reading Education from the University of West Florida. She taught English, Theatre, and World History in Florida for ten years before moving to Columbus in 2019. She is married and has two grown children.
Ms. Tonya Hill – English Department Chair
Tonya Hill, is a veteran teacher with over twenty years of experience. She has taught in Muscogee County since 2010. Ms. Hill has a B.S.Ed from University of Georgia, M.Ed. from Clemson University, and Ed. S. from Auburn University. She has certifications in Reading, Gifted Education, Instructional Technology, and Advanced Placement.
Ms. Ana Mendoza
Ana Mendoza has been teaching English Language Arts for several years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature with a minor in professional writing, and a Master of Arts degree in Education. Ms. Mendoza has presented at the National Council of Teachers of English twice, and her teaching philosophy centers on Project Based Learning.
Mrs. April Brock
Mrs. Brock has lived and taught in 2 states, multiple grade levels (6th-12th grades) and has a family. She especially enjoys teaching high school American Literature. When not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her two boys, reading, working out, and spending time with her dogs (2 rescues).
Ms. Molly Wright
Ms. Wright earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Columbus State University in 2006 and her Master of Arts in Renaissance Studies at the University of Alabama in 2008. Ms. Wright taught college English and tutored professionally at various university writing centers from 2008-2018 before becoming Program Lead for Creative Writing at RMSA. Under her directorship, the Creative Writing program has partnered with local organizations and contests such as the Fountain City Poetry Slam, the Carson McCullers Literary Festival and Writing Contest, and the Dr. Shanta McClurkin Patrick Creative Writing Contest. Ms. Wright’s play Matchmaking Meds won the Teacher Prize for the first 10-minute play competition from the Georgia Film Academy in 2020. She is also a poet and essayist whose writing centers around her hometown of Columbus, Georgia, and her family, especially her daughter, Ryan.
Courses Offered
Middle School
- 6th grade ELA and Adv. 6th grade ELA
- 7th grade ELA and Adv. 7th grade ELA
- 8th grade ELA and Adv. 8th grade ELA
- Library Research
High School
- 9th grade Literature and Composition and Hon. 9th grade Literature and Composition
- 10th grade Literature and Composition and Hon. 10th grade Literature and Composition
- American Literature and Hon. American Literature
- Multi-Cultural Literature and Composition
- A. P. Language and Composition
- A. P. Literature and Composition
Electives Offered
Various Creative Writing electives are offered for students to further their writing skills.
