Meet Our Cohort

  • Sara Leonetti, English Teacher, Cheney High School, Cheney School District
  • Holly Farnsworth, English Teacher, Department Lead, Shadle Park High School, Spokane Public School
  • Lyn Megow, Lecturer, English Department, Eastern Washington University
  • Christie Anderson, English Instructor, Spokane Falls Community College

Professional Experience

Sara Leonetti

I graduated from University of Idaho in May 2001 double-majoring in English Literature and Secondary Education with a minor in Spanish.  After a year spent substitute teaching, I began my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language at Eastern Washington University.  A year into the program, I began my first teaching job in Eagle, ID, completing my MA while working in 2004.  With a desire to be closer to home, I taught for the next nine years in Post Falls High School, teaching English to every grade level, 9-12, and developing a Creative Writing program.  Then, I moved to Cheney High School, and taught Spanish I, Language Arts 11, and now AP Literature.  I currently serve on the TPEP, Mentor Teacher, and Highly Capable committees.

Holly Farnsworth

I graduated from Whitworth College in May 2001 double-majoring in both English and History Education, and began teaching English at Shadle Park High School in Spokane Public Schools in fall of that year.  I’ve been teaching English at Shadle from that time, and have served as the English Department Lead since 2009.  My instruction assignments have primarily been 9th grade English and AP English Language and Composition, though I am currently also teaching a reading intervention class designed to help students two or more grade levels behind in their reading close the gap in their skills to reach grade level.

I received my Masters in Education from Eastern Washington University in 2005.  In addition to my work at Shadle, I also serve on several district committees and am a SpringBoard District-Endorsed Trainer.

Lyn Megow

I began my teaching career as a business English instructor at a technical college. I did graduate work at Central Washington University and Oklahoma State University, teaching English composition, literature, and film classes at each location. I received my MA in English from CWU in 2003. I’ve been at EWU since 2011, where I primarily teach English Composition courses and assist with writing program administration.

Christie Anderson

M.A. Traditional Studies in Language and Literature, Eastern Washington University (1991) Thesis: Teaching Whole Language to Whole People as Adult Learners B.A.E. English and Fine Art, Secondary Ed. Eastern Washington University (1986)

My special interest lies in matters of diversity and multiculturalism. I am the College Literacy Director, and I teach various reading, writing and literature courses. In all my classes, I find there is a place to learn about, understand, and celebrate many of the voices that make up the world. I have a strong sense of community, knowing that we tend to do better when we are part of a group, moving toward similar goals, so my teaching strategies often include short and long term collaboration among class members. Working with students at SFCC to achieve their academic goals has and continues to be a particular pleasure. “I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.” – Langston Hughes