Garraway, Cynthia | HS Communications
Class Homepage
Hello Communication Students-
Welcome to Communication with Mrs. Garraway! I am so excited you are taking this class, as I know you will gain numerous skills that will be applicable to all aspects of your life! The 2024-2025 school year will mark my 23rd year teaching. I currently teach AP Literature, AP Seminar, COM 100 dual enrollment, Creative Writing, Journalism, and am the Newspaper adviser at Sandra Day O’Connor High School. In addition, I am the Ed Tech Department Chair at OC and Adjunct Faculty for Rio Salado College teaching Intro to Human Communication 100 and 110. To get a feel for myself and the class, watch the welcome video above: https://youtu.be/wpj44l0Vuuk.
I am sure you are eager to get started! Once the official start date arrives, you will be able to gain access to the course no later than 7 AM. To do this, you will need to log into your Canvas account. Keep in mind, the course will not be published until the official start date, so you will not have access to the entire course until then. If you have any questions before the course begins, please email me at this address (cynthia.garraway@dvusd.org); however, once the course begins, the preferred method of communicating will be through the Canvas message center.
I’m sure you are wondering how you can do well in my course. It’s simple…you just need to make sure you read everything on each page and be an active participant in the class!! I have included in each module some course information pages before each assignment is given. If you skip over these pages, you will not be able to apply what you learned to the assignment, and each assignment is tailored to the content given before in those pages. In addition, make sure to watch all of the videos I have included. They are fun, informative, insightful, and just awesome!! You won’t want to skip them, and many are only a few minutes long (although there are some longer ones). My other advice is to make sure you don’t fall behind and also plan ahead. At the beginning of each week, look at all of the assignments due and plan accordingly.
You will need access to a microphone and video recorder.
I am so excited for you to get started!! I promise you will have fun, learn a lot, and be poised to communicate well with all types of people after taking this class! Just a reminder, make sure to complete the Canvas Orientation Course before class starts.
Make sure to take a screenshot of your score, as you will need to submit that to me in the assignment.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at my email address, or once class starts through the Canvas message center. I am here to help, so don’t hesitate to ask questions!
Class Expectations
This is a course where you can get dual enrollment credit through Rio Salado college! Directions are below and here is a link to Rio's dual enrollment page: https://www.riosalado.edu/start-rio/early-college/dual-enrollment. Last day to register for dual credit is September 16--no exceptions! See me with any questions.
- Ways to Achieve Success in this Class
I’m sure you are wondering how you can do well in my course. It’s simple…you just need to make sure you read everything on each page and be an active participant in the class!! I have included in each module some course information pages before each assignment is given. If you skip over these pages, you will not be able to apply what you learned to the assignment, and each assignment is tailored to the content given before in those pages. In addition, make sure to watch all of the videos I have included. They are fun, informative, insightful, and just awesome!! You won’t want to skip them, and many are only a few minutes long (although there are some longer ones). My other advice is to make sure you don’t fall behind and also plan ahead. At the beginning of each week, look at all of the assignments due and plan accordingly.
- Course Ground Rules
In order to maintain an excellent learning climate, students will be expected to adhere to the following:
Consequences for not following the above guidelines may include any and all of the following:
With the exception of extreme behaviors that warrant immediate response, it is my policy to warn students first and discuss their behavior before assigning consequences.
Cases of cheating and plagiarism will be handled in accordance with the Eschool Student Handbook. While there are many different ways to cheat or plagiarize, please be aware that activities such as sharing material, copying work, and posting information on a web site are considered cheating. Students who choose to cheat and/or plagiarize will receive no credit for that work and will face further consequences as outlined in the Student Handbook.
- Communication Guidelines
- Messages:
Always include a subject line.
As you will learn in our unit on nonverbal behavior, without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your messages. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
Use standard fonts.
Do not send large attachments without permission.
Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
Respect the privacy of other class members.
- Discussion Groups:
Respect others in all forms of communication within the course. “Others” includes fellow students and the teacher. We will speak our minds with tact and courtesy in all forms of communication.
Be prepared. Make sure you have access to all required materials and technology needed to complete the course.
Follow Aspire's Program rules. All Aspire's rules, as outlined in the student handbook, will be enforced.
parental contact
referral to the Aspire Administration Team
loss of credit
Always include a subject line.
As you will learn in our unit on nonverbal behavior, without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your messages. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
Use standard fonts.
Do not send large attachments without permission.
Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
Respect the privacy of other class members.
Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
Be cooperative with group members in completing assigned tasks.
Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Course Pacing Calendars
About the Teacher
Degrees and Certifications:
- BA in Speech Communication from University of Illionois and MA in Education from Barat College of DePaul University
The 2024-2025 school year will mark Mrs. Garraway's 23rd year teaching AP Literature, AP Seminar, COM 100, Creative Writing, Newspaper, and Journalism. In addition, she is the EdTech Department Chair at O'Connor. She is also an Adjunct for Rio Salado College teaching COM 100 and COM 110. Born and raised in Illinois, she attended the University of Illinois (Go Illini!!) where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. After living in Santa Barbara, California for two years, she decided to move back to Illinois to obtain her Master of Arts degree from Barat College of DePaul University. In 2015, she was awarded with the honor of being named Deer Valley Unified School District's Teacher of the Year, and in 2016 and 2023 was a recipient of Rio Salado’s Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award. In 2023, she was O'Connor's teacher of the year.
Mrs. Garraway has always been an avid learner; hence, her goal is to foster a classroom where a love for learning thrives. Empower yourself through learning is a motto of hers, and she feels fortunate to help others achieve this endeavor. She is here to help you, so don’t hesitate to ask her any questions.