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My name is Dr. Julie A. Brua, and I am very excited to return as a member of the staff at St. Joseph Catholic School (SJCS)! I have been blessed to work in education for over 35 years, teaching students from grade kindergarten through adults. This is my fifth year at SJCS.

I have earned the following degrees:

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from University of Illinois at Urbana with 13 years of experience in teaching English Language Arts in grades 6-7-8 while at Deer Path and Northbrook Junior High Schools;

Master of Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Illinois at Urbana;

Type 75 Endorsement in Administration from DePaul University;

Doctorate in Educational Administration and Superintendent Endorsement from Northern Illinois University;

Chief School Business Official Endorsement from Northern Illinois University; and,

English as a Second Language and Bilingual Endorsement from Benedictine and St. Francis Universities.

I have spent over 22 years in leadership positions while also serving in many roles associated with my faith: cantor, RCIA sponsor, religious education teacher, 8th grade Confirmation sponsor, Catholic school principal, etc. My daughter Audrey, who went through religious education at St. Joe's, graduated in December 2025 and is working as a financial analyst. My husband RJ and I live in Libertyville, and in our spare time, we enjoy exercising, spending time with family, and spoiling our dogs, Paisley and Colsen. I feel blessed to be here as a cantor/choir member at St. Joe's masses and as a teacher at St. Joe's Catholic School.

About our English language arts program:

All of our middle school students will complete HMH Grammar lessons, and we will incorporate some aspects of Gretchen Courtney's writing program and other genres of writing during the grades 6-8 ELA experience: expository, research, argumentative, narrative, poetry, script writing, fables, descriptive, memoir, Ted Talk, music website, speech, PSAs, and other types.

Our program offers support to students in many forms. In addition to the help and support I provide to all students in the classroom, IXL, an online practice program, offers additional support to students, including step-by-step demonstrations.

All of our students will leave St. Joseph Catholic School with a solid foundation in grammar and writing and will be ready for the challenges of high school English language arts.

Posts

Week at a Glance: November 9-13

Enjoy your long weekend, Middle School!

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules, part II
- Review: Tuesday and Wednesday, November 10-11
- Assessment: Thursday, November 12
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through recipe writes

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules, part II
- Review: Monday and Tuesday, November 9-10
- Assessment: Wednesday, November 11
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through biographical music websites

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules, part II
- Review: Monday, November 9
- Assessment: Tuesday, November 10
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through most influential people of the twentieth century speeches

Week at a Glance: November 2-5

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules, part II
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through recipe writes

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules, part II
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through elevator speeches

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules, part II
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through most influential people of the twentieth century speeches

Week at a Glance: October 26-30

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules, part II
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through personal narratives

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules, part II
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through elevator speeches

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules, part II
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through most influential persons of the twentieth century speeches

Week at a Glance: October 19-21

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules, part II
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through personal narrative

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules, part II
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through elevator speeches

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules, part II
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through speeches

Week at a Glance: October 12-16

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules
- Review: Wednesday - Thursday, October 14-15
- Assessment: Friday, October 16
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through personal narrative

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules
- Review: Monday, October 12
- Assessment: Tuesday, October 13
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through descriptive writing and speech study

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules
- Review: Wednesday, October 14
- Assessment: Thursday, October 15
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through cause/effect writing and speech study

Week at a Glance: October 5-9

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules
- Review: Monday - Tuesday, October 12-13
- Assessment: Wednesday, October 13
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through character study/writing

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules
- Review: Thursday, October 8
- Assessment: Friday, October 9
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through descriptive writing

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentation and cause/effect writing

Week at a Glance: September 29 - October 2

Enjoy the long weekend, Middle School!

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through story/fable writing and character study/writing

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through descriptive writing

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentation and cause/effect writing

Week at a Glance: September 21 - 24

Let's keep the great work going, Middle School!

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through story/fable writing and character study/writing

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of puncutation rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through descriptive writing

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of punctuation rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentation reading/writing and mentor sentences

Week at a Glance: September 14-18

Thank you for another great week of learning, Middle School!

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of capitalization rules
- Review: Wednesday, September 16
- Assessment: Thursday, September 17
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through journal writing and story/fable writing

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of puncutation rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through narrative writing that includes dialogue

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of capitalization rules
- Review: Monday, September 14
- Assessment: Tuesday, September 15
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentation reading/writing

Week at a Glance: September 8 - 11

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of capitalization rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through journal writing and story/fable writing

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of capitalization rules
- Review: Tuesday, September 8
- Assessment: Wednesday, September 9
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through narrative writing

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of capitalization rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentation reading/writing

Week at a Glance: August 31 - September 4

Great job this week, Middle School!

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of capitalization rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through journal writing and story/fable writing

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of capitalization rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through narrative writing

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of capitalization rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through mentor sentence and argumentation reading/writing

Week at a Glance: August 24 - 28

We had a great first few days! Looking forward to an awesome 26-27 SY!

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through capitalization rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience by email writing and All About Me presos

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through capitalization rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience by email and narrative writing and Inspiring Quotes presos

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through capitalization rules
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience by email, mentor sentences in teams, and argumentation writing and Values presos

Week at a Glance: August 20-21

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through getting to know you activities, gearing up for capitalization introduction
to convey ideas precisely and concisely using chosen language when writing through getting to know you activities
- ELA Information Sheet Signed by Parents - Due Friday, August 21
- Personal Writing in-class activity - Finish in-class; Due Monday, August 24

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through getting to know you activities, gearing up for capitalization review
to convey ideas precisely and concisely using chosen language when writing through getting to know you activities
- ELA Information Sheet Signed by Parents - Due Friday, August 21
- Inspiring Quote Google Slide in-class activity - Finish in-class; Due Monday, August 24

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking, gearing up for capitalization review
to use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening through getting to know you activities
- ELA Information Sheet Signed by Parents - Due Friday, August 21
- 5 Values Google Slide in-class activity - Finish in-class; Due Monday, August 24

Week at a Glance: June 1 - 3

Grade 6:

to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through debates

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of categories - game

Week at a Glance: May 25 - 30

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of using verbs correctly
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentation writing with Saints presentations

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of agreement
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentation with editorial writing in decades projects presentations