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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 fourth 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, is a senior in college, graduating in December 2025. 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 Gretchen Courtney's writing program and other genres of writing.

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: Sept. 15-19

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 by journal writing and fable/story team development

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 by narrative writing

Grade 8:

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

Week at a Glance: Sept. 8-12

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of capitalization rules
- Capitalization Module Reviews: Thursday, September 11
- Capitalization Assessment: Friday, September 12
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience by journal writing and fable/story team development

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of capitalization rules
- Capitalization Module Reviews: Tuesday, September 9
- Capitalization Assessment: Friday, September 10
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience by narrative writing

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through capitalization rules
- Capitalization Module Reviews: Tuesday, September 9
- Capitalization Assessment: Friday, September 10
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience by argumentation and mentor sentence writing

Week at a Glance: Sept. 2-5

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 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 25-29

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 Us Gazette 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 20-22, 2025

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 22
- All About Me poster in-class activity - Finish in-class; Due Monday, August 25

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 22
- Inspiring Quote Google Slide in-class activity - Finish in-class; Due Friday, August 22

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 22
- 5 Values Google Slide in-class activity - Finish in-class; Due Friday, August 22

Week at a Glance: June 2-4

Grade 6:

to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through letter writing to next year's grade 6 class

Grade 7:

to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through letter writing to next year's grade 7 class

Week at a Glance: May 27-30

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of modifiers
- Review: Tuesday, May 27
- Assessment: Wednesday, May 28
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentative writing

Grade 7:

to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentative writing presentations: decades website project

Week at a Glance: May 19-23

Grade 6:

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

Grade 7:

to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentative writing: decades website project

Grade 8:

to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through writing and presenting a Ted Talk
to study famous writers through writing rhetorical analyses

Week at a Glance: May 12-16

Grade 6:

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

Grade 7:

to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentative writing: decades website project

Grade 8:

to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through writing and presenting a Ted Talk
to study famous writers through writing rhetorical analyses

Week at a Glance: May 5-9

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of subject-verb agreement
- Review: Monday-Tuesday, May 5-6
- Assessment: Wednesday, May 7
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentative writing

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of types of sentences
- Review: Monday-Tuesday, May 5-6
- Assessment: Wednesday, May 7
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentative writing: decades website project

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of types of sentences
- Review: Tuesday-Wednesday, May 6-7
- Assessment: Thursday, May 8
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through writing and presenting a Ted Talk

Week at a Glance: April 22-25

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of subject-verb Agreement
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentative writing

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of types of sentences
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through argumentative writing: decades website project

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of types of sentences
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through writing and presenting a Ted Talk

Week at a Glance: April 14-18

Grade 6:

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

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of clauses
- Review: Tuesday and Wednesday, April 15 - 16
- Assessment: Thursday, April 17
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through introducing argumentative writing

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of clauses
- Review: Tuesday and Wednesday, April 15-16
- Assessment: Thursday, April 17
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through writing and presenting a Ted Talk

Week at a Glance: April 7-11

Grade 6:

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

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of clauses
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through presenting most influential PSAs and introducing argumentative writing

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of clauses
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through writing and presenting a Ted Talk

Week at a Glance: March 31-April 4

Grade 6:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of prepositional phrases
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through narrative writing with fables
Woman's History Webquest Due: Friday, April 4: time in class provided on Tuesday, April 1 to complete

Grade 7:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of clauses
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through informative in-text citations within most influential person writing and presenting PSAs
Woman's History Webquest Due: Friday, April 4: time in class provided on Tuesday, April 1 to complete

Grade 8:

to demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking through the study of clauses
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through an introduction to Ted Talks
Woman's History Webquest Due: Friday, April 4: time in class provided on Tuesday, April 1 to complete

Week at a Glance: March 17-21

Grade 6:
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through descriptive writing - menus
Grade 7:
to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through informative writing
Grade 8: to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience through an introduction to Paul Harvey style narrative/informative writing

Name: Dr. Julie Brua
Position: Middle School ELA Teacher
Email: Send email
Phone: (847) 362-0730 x311

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Posts

Week at a Glance: Sept. 15-19

Week at a Glance: Sept. 8-12

Week at a Glance: Sept. 2-5

Week at a Glance: August 25-29

Week at a Glance: August 20-22, 2025

Week at a Glance: June 2-4

Week at a Glance: May 27-30

Week at a Glance: May 19-23

Week at a Glance: May 12-16

Week at a Glance: May 5-9

Week at a Glance: April 22-25

Week at a Glance: April 14-18

Week at a Glance: April 7-11

Week at a Glance: March 31-April 4

Week at a Glance: March 17-21