“In reading great literature I have become a thousand men and yet still remain myself.”
-C.S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism
About Me
Hi there! I am so excited that you are exploring my room! My name is Joely Shiver (shy-ver) - surname Fortin, hence the website name. I have a BS in English Education from Kennesaw State University (2020) and am also certified in Special Education (2021). My love for literature first began at a young age when I discovered that I could travel around the world without ever having to leave the comfort of my home (BIG THANKS to The Magic Treehousenovels for that one). Eventually, this love took me on many adventures of my own, including visiting 7 countries and teaching in Italy for a Summer! As I got older, my interest in literature continued to grow, expanding over multiple genres and authors, filling my life with purpose and excitement. My favorite series is ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas and my favorite stand alone is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. My goal as an English teacher is to help students grow in their knowledge of analyzing, questioning, and making sense of both canonical and young adult texts. In order to do so, I have adopted a blended educational philosophy of perennialism and constructivism. I strongly believe that students' literary comprehension rapidly increase when taught historical implications, cultural themes, and the societal influences that surround a novel. I prioritize experiential learning and truly believe that students learn best with continuous and deliberate practice. The end goal for each of my lessons is for my students to begin to formulate their own opinions on literature, learn more about themselves, and develop a profound sense of global awareness.