English II · English II Honors · English IV · AP Lang
Hi, scholars! Welcome in.
This is our home base. Here you'll find out a little about me, what we study in each class, when you can find me for help, and every non-VR alternate lesson, so you never miss what your classmates are learning.
Mrs. Polanco is reading:
About me
Reading and writing are how we make sense of the world.
I have been teaching for over ten years, and I love helping students discover that reading and writing aren't just school assignments. They're how we explore new ideas, understand other people, and say what we really think.
In our classes, we read stories and arguments worth arguing about. We hold real discussions, strengthen our writing one draft at a time, and sometimes step inside literature through virtual reality. I'll ask you to share your ideas and take academic risks. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be willing to participate, learn, and grow.
I believe every scholar has something valuable to contribute. My goal is a classroom where you feel respected, supported, challenged, and comfortable being yourself.
Outside of school, I love traveling, spending time with my family, trying new restaurants, finding creative ways to use technology, and hanging out with my dogs, Luca and Kona (pictured, looking very studious).
Background
- M.A. in TeachingUniversity of South Florida
- B.A. in SociologyUniversity of South Florida
- Florida Professional Educator Certificatewith ESOL Endorsement
- Classical Education CertificateGreat books, great conversations
- Bilingual: English & Spanish¡Puedes escribirme en español!
My classes
Four courses, one big question: who are we, and how do we say it?
Every course is aligned to both the Florida B.E.S.T. Standards and the Texas TEKS, so scholars in both states are covered.
English II
Identity and belonging. We write personal narratives, read short fiction by writers like Alice Walker, Kate Chopin, Saki, and Toni Cade Bambara, and later journey into The Once and Future King.
English II Honors
The English II journey with more depth: more independent reading, more extended writing, and more room to push your analysis further.
English IV
A senior seminar on the examined life. We read The Fellowship of the Ring, 1984, Macbeth, and Frankenstein alongside philosophy, poetry, and short fiction.
AP® Lang & Comp
How do writers build arguments? We analyze nonfiction from Douglass to Malala and practice the three AP essays (rhetorical analysis, argument, and synthesis) for the exam in May.
Read with me · Book Challenge 2026–2028
I'm reading 94 classic books, and I'd love some company.
This month I'm starting a personal challenge: read my way through a list of classic and modern novels, one season at a time. You're invited to read along. Join for one book, a whole season, or the whole journey.
How to join
- Grab a copy of the book I'm reading. Any edition works: print, e-book, audiobook, or a Spanish translation. Your public library's Libby app is a free place to start.
- Follow the reading pace on the card, about the same number of pages each day.
- Tell me you're in with the form below so I know who's reading with me.
- Talk about it with me. Bring your thoughts to Study Hall or send me a Canvas message when you finish.
⭐ marks a big read that takes extra time. A few later titles are written for adult readers and are marked "Mature." If you're interested in one of those, talk with a parent or guardian first. Check off the books you finish; your checklist is saved on your device.
Study hall & contact
Stuck? Come find me.
Asking for help is a skill, not a weakness. Bring a draft, a question, or just a "where do I start?"
Study Hall hours
| Monday & Wednesday | 3:50–4:50 pm ET2:50–3:50 pm CT |
| Tuesday & Thursday | 8:30–9:00 am ET7:30–8:00 am CT |
| Another time? | Message me on Canvas and we'll find one. |
Reach me
mpolanco@optimaed.comEmail or send a Canvas message anytime. Tell me your name, your class, and the lesson number so I can help you quickly. English or Spanish, whichever you're more comfortable with.
Video lessons on YouTube
My channel is where my video lessons will live, so you can rewatch a lesson or catch up on your own time. Coming later this year: lessons on The Great Gatsby.
Non-VR alternate lessons
Same texts, same thinking, no headset needed.
Every alternate below covers the same reading and the same big question as the VR lesson, and it counts for the same Canvas assignment.
When to use one
- You don't have a headset, or it isn't working today
- VR makes you motion sick
- You're catching up on a lesson on demand
- It's an Independent Learning Day with a substitute
How it works
- Find your course below and the lesson number from today's Canvas lesson.
- Check that the "Name in Canvas" matches exactly, so you know you have the right one.
- Work through every stage in order. Your notes save in your browser, but download or export them before you close the page.
- Turn in your work to the same assignment in Canvas.
No lessons match that search. Try a lesson number like 4.04.