Class Calendar Length
Year Long
Grade Levels
9, 10
Prerequisites
None
Seats Available
15-20
Class Schedule
Mon to Fri, 1:35 to 2:25 pm
Course Summary
This course offers a profound exploration of the American experience through the diverse lens of literature that defines the transition from youth to adulthood. By engaging with influential voices such as Zora Neale Hurston and Luis Rodriguez, students will investigate how race, culture, and individual identity intersect to shape one’s journey toward maturity. Participants move beyond traditional analysis to become active storytellers, crafting personal essays and reflective narratives that bridge the gap between classic literature and their own lived experiences in a collaborative, identity-affirming environment.
Key Outcomes
- Synthesize themes of identity and culture across diverse American literatures.
- Develop a portfolio of personal narrative essays and reflective writing.
- Facilitate identity-based discussions within a collaborative peer group.
Mass. State Standards
- 9-10.RL.1–6: Reading Literature (Analysis of complex characters, structure, and cultural perspectives)
- 9-10.W.3: Narrative Writing (Crafting personal narratives and memoirs)
- 9-10.SL.1: Speaking & Listening (Participating in collaborative digital discussions and seminars)
About the Instructor
Kate Gubata is a veteran educator at New Mission High School with over 20 years of experience teaching within the Boston Public Schools system. She holds a degree in Comparative Literature from Brown University and a Master’s in Gender & Cultural Studies from Simmons University, an academic background that deeply informs her focus on stories that challenge standard historical narratives. In addition to being licensed in Special Education and ESL, Kate is a passionate mentor who coaches students for the August Wilson Monologue Competition and leads her school’s Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA). She is dedicated to creating inclusive, student-centered classrooms where every young person feels safe enough to be their authentic self while exploring complex themes of identity and race in America.