Mary Pat Penley

I’m excited to begin my 13th year teaching in the Helena School District! As one of the Accessible Education teachers at Helena High School, I’m passionate about supporting students in their educational journey and helping them reach their goals.

My teaching career began in 1993, following my graduation from Eastern Montana College. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of teaching in several states—Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Hawaii. I earned my Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1997, and a few years ago, I achieved National Board Certification.

I look forward to a wonderful year ahead, creating a supportive, engaging, and inclusive learning environment for every student. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at mpenley@helenaschools.org.

Contact Mary Pat Penley

mpenley@helenaschools.org

Helena High School

Schedule

Period 1 Practical English
Period 2 CC Lab
Period 3 CC Lab
Period 4 Prep
Period 5 Co-taught American Studies 1 with Ryan Schulte
Period 6 CC Lab
Period 7 Case Management

Agendas

CC Lab:

September 2025 Practical English Agenda

Week 1: Sept 2 – Sept 5

Focus: Writing Strong Short Answer Responses

Learn how to restate the question in the answer.
Practice using evidence from a text.
Work on complete sentences and clarity.
Daily practice with short passages.
Friday: Quiz – Write a short answer response using evidence.

Week 2: Sept 8 – Sept 12

Focus: Introducing The Outsiders (Ch. 1–3)

Background on author S.E. Hinton and 1960s culture.
Vocabulary building (key words from the novel).
Read Chapters 1–3 together in class.
Discuss characters and setting.
Short answer responses about character introductions.

Week 3: Sept 15 – Sept 19

Focus: The Outsiders (Ch. 4–6)

Continue reading (class + some independent reading).
Character development: Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally.
Discuss themes of friendship and loyalty.
Short answer practice: “How does Ponyboy change after the incident in the park?”
Friday: Reading Check Quiz (Ch. 1–6).

Week 4: Sept 22 – Sept 26

Focus: The Outsiders (Ch. 7–9)

Vocabulary for new chapters.
Discuss conflict: Greasers vs. Socs.
Explore theme of identity and belonging.
Group discussion: “What makes someone a hero?”
Short answer practice: Use evidence to explain a theme.

Week 5: Sept 29 – Sept 30

Focus: Wrapping Up September

Review Chapters 1–9 of The Outsiders.
Character chart update (tracking changes).
Practice quiz prep with short answer writing.

Practical English Syllabus 2025-2026

Practical English 2025–2026

Welcome to Practical English! This class is designed to support you in becoming a stronger reader, writer, and communicator. We will focus on building skills in grammar, decoding, and literature in a supportive environment that meets your individual needs and IEP goals.

In this class, we will work on reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, and communication skills that connect to real-world situations. Our goal is to help you become a confident reader and writer who is prepared for life after high school.

Bengal Expectations

Be a Graduate!
Grading will be based on daily points from participation, effort and mastery/progression of skills.

Be a Graduate – Attendance
Be in class on time and stay the whole period.
Be Involved – Participation
Complete Bell Ringers, Exit Tickets, and class activities.
Be Respectful – Attitude
Show respect toward classmates, staff, and materials.
Be Responsible – Effort
Stay on task, complete assignments, and give your best effort.

What We Will Learn

Practical English will follow state content standards and your IEP goals. This means we will:

Build Reading Skills – practice decoding strategies, fluency, and comprehension using short stories, novels, and informational texts.
Develop Vocabulary – strengthen academic and everyday vocabulary through games, word study, and context clues.
Improve Grammar & Writing – learn sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar through hands-on activities and real-world writing tasks.
Explore Literature – read a variety of texts (classic, modern, and high-interest) to understand themes, characters, and connections to real life.
Communicate Effectively – practice speaking and listening skills in class discussions, presentations, and group work.

All lessons will be adapted to your learning style and pace, with built-in support to help you succeed.

Be Involved!

Be an active participant in class! Each day you’ll start with a Bell Ringer (a quick warm-up in reading, writing, or grammar) and finish with an Exit Ticket (a short reflection or skill check). You’ll also be expected to:

Track your reading goals and progress.
Share what you’re learning with your families
Ask for help when you need it—we are here to support you!

Be Respectful!

Come ready to learn—be in your seat when the bell rings.
Phones stay put away during class. Chromebooks are for classwork unless you have earned free time.
Treat others with kindness—be supportive of your classmates.

Be Responsible!

Keep track of your assignments and due dates.
Take care of classroom books and materials.
Do your best work and turn it in on time.
Take ownership of your learning—we will meet you where you are and help you grow, but you are in charge of your success.

Materials

If you need school supplies and are unable to get them, please let me know and I will make sure you have what you need.

Contact Information

If you or your family need to reach me, you can email me at mpenley@helenaschools.org or send me a message on Teams.

Together, we’ll make this a great year of growth, learning, and confidence in your reading and writing!

CC Lab Syllabus 2025-2026

Core Curriculum Lab 2025-2026

Welcome to Core Curriculum Lab (CC Lab). This is a supported study hall where we will work together to help you stay organized, track your grades, work on assignments, and learn study skills to help you become the best student you can be.

Bengal Expectations

Be a graduate!

Grading will be based on 4 total points from participation in daily activities. Grading scale is Pass/Fail.

Your grade in this class will be based on 4 daily points based on our Bengal Expectations:

(1) Be a Graduate- Attendance (Get to class on time and stay in class the entire period)

(2) Be Involved- Participation in Bell Ringers and Exit Tickets

(3) Be Respectful- Follow classroom expectations and show respect towards staff and students

(4) Be Responsible- On task behavior- actively working on assignments

If you need school supplies and are unable to get them for any reason, please come talk with me, Mrs. Penley, and I will make sure that you have what you need to be successful.

Be Involved!

Be an active participant in class. Join a club and/or activity at Helena High. Volunteer in your community. Be involved in this class by coming in on time, participating in bell ringers, and logging into PowerSchool to check for any missing assignments. Each week you will be expected to keep your guardians and case manager in the loop by sending an email with what you need to work on. During the class period you will be working on assignments for your outside classes. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you do not understand an assignment or need help with anything!

Be Respectful!

Be a positive person in class by being enthusiastic, curious, and kind. Be in your seat when the bell rings. Three tardies result in lunch detention. Treat your classmates and teachers with respect. Cellphones are not allowed during class time. Chromebooks are to be used for educational purposes only unless you have been given permission to have free time.

Be Responsible!

Each day, begin class with a Bell Ringer. At the end of class, put all of your materials away neatly and complete the Exit Ticket before leaving. Take care of the classroom technology and equipment. It is your responsibility to complete assignments and turn them in. Be responsible by keeping track of due dates, keeping materials in a safe place, and talking to teachers about missing assignments. We are here to help you succeed, but ultimately it is up to you to be motivated and successful.

If you need to reach me, please email me at mpenley@helenaschools.org or send me a TEAMS chat.

What is the role of an Accessibility Educator?

All accessible education teachers, often referred to as special education teachers or teachers specializing in inclusive education, focus on ensuring that all students, including those with disabilities or learning challenges, have equal opportunities to succeed in the classroom. Here’s a breakdown of what we strive to do:

Individualized Instruction: We create tailored lesson plans and teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of each student. This might involve modifying assignments, using different teaching methods, or providing additional support.
Collaboration: We work closely with other educators, school administrators, and parents to develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans. These plans outline specific accommodations and modifications to help students succeed.
Support Services: We may coordinate with other specialists such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, or counselors to provide comprehensive support for students.
Classroom Environment: We adapt the physical and social environment of the classroom to be more accessible. This might involve arranging the classroom layout to accommodate mobility devices or creating a sensory-friendly space for students with sensory processing issues.
Behavior Management: We use positive behavior support strategies to help students with behavioral challenges. This can include developing behavioral intervention plans and teaching social and emotional skills.
Advocacy: We advocate for the needs of students with disabilities, ensuring that their rights are upheld and that they receive the necessary resources and support.
Assessment and Progress Monitoring: We regularly assess students’ progress and adjust instruction as needed. This involves evaluating both academic achievement and social-emotional development.
Professional Development: We stay updated with the latest research, teaching strategies, and legal requirements related to special education and inclusive practices.