For the school year of 2018-2019, English teacher Denae Delozier is going to be teaching a new class called Intro to Public Speaking. This has been a long-lasting wish for Delozier and she filled out the form to make it happen. Delozier will also coach of the forensics team next year, which is the public speaking team.

“I always wanted to teach public speaking. I have always just been really interested in it so this year I finally decided to do it,” Delozier said.

Delozier wanted to start this new class because the only option for taking a public speaking class is a Dual Enrollment option.

“[We chose] the Intro to Public Speaking class particularly because there is only an DE option and we wanted to give a chance for underclassmen to take public speaking,” Delozier said.

In order to start a new class, you need to fill out a proposal with guidance and explain what the class will teach, explain the requirements and if there is an SOL attached. You also need a certain number of people who are interested in taking the class.

“You need to gather interest so I am currently seeking at least 15 people who are interested in taking the class,” Delozier said.

This new elective class won’t affect classroom space because Delozier has her own classroom.  She teaches Composition in Reading and a reading support class. The English as a Second Language class will be taking some of the reading support classes as well.

“The new class will probably take away one of my sections which is going to be okay because I’m really excited about teaching public speaking,” Delozier said.

The reason Delozier has not started a speech class in previous years is because she was becoming used to being a teacher at HHS. Delozier now feels confident in her ability to teach this new class.

“This is my fifth year here and I finally got into a rhythm where I know what I can teach and I know what I want to do. Plus things have finally settled down after being a new teacher,” Delozier said.