Grayslake Central High School

English Department

Mission Statement

We, the teachers of Grayslake Central High School’s English Department, challenge our students to grow as skilled communicators, critical readers, and increasingly independent learners.  Equally important is our commitment to fostering students’ confidence, integrity, and responsibility, encouraging them to use their voices to participate meaningfully in the world.

Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else's shoes for a while.

Malorie Blackman  

Melissa Thurlwell

Grayslake Central English Department Chair
mthurlwell@d127.org
(847) 986 -3300 ext. 5726
@GCHSThurlwell

Joan Rush Retirement

Joan Rush is RETIRING after 20+ years at GCHS!

Did you have Ms. Rush as a teacher? Did she positively impact your life? If so, click the button below and fill out the Google Form. Your photos and memories will go into a scrapbook that she will receive in May. THANK YOU and please spread the word!

Top Row (left to right): Mr. Jake O'Hara, Ms. Nina Cavender, Ms. Taylor Edwards, Ms. Maureen Ritter, Ms. Lauren Tracy, Ms. Melissa Thurlwell, Mr. Tom Hamilton, Mr. Chris Palmer, Mr. Jeff Barry, and Ms. Heather Fee-Alveraz Bottom Row (left to right): Ms. Victoria Lobb, Ms. Sara Lester, Ms. Ellie Ryan, Ms. Joan Rush, Ms. Arian Colton, and Ms. Stephanie Kischuk

Top Row (left to right): Jake O'Hara, Nina Cavender, Taylor Edwards, Maureen Ritter, Lauren Tracy, Melissa Thurlwell, Tom Hamilton, Chris Palmer, Jeff Barry, and Heather Fee-Alvarez. Bottom Row (left to right): Victoria Lobb, Sara Lester, Ellie Ryan, Joan Rush, Arian Colton, and Stephanie Kischuk