“Potterheads” are people who love the Harry Potter series of books to a fanatical degree. Mrs. Lauren Rogers, CIHS English teacher who grew up reading the novels, embraces this term. Last year after a core literature committee meeting meant to discuss what relevant books could be added to the spectrum, Mrs. Rogers realized the Harry Potter series was perfect.

“It’s been years since the books came out and since the movie series finished, but people are still talking about it.”

She not only suggested the series be added to the core literature selection but went as far as advocating for a class that would spend the year analyzing and exploring the written works. With the support of her fellow peers, Mrs. Rogers was able to not only have the class approved as a college prep but also meet the A through G requirements. Allowing students to receive the same credits they would get from taking the English 4 class.

Mrs. Rogers plans to teach a class in which her witches and wizards will view the literature critically; focusing on the symbolism, mythological aspects and numerous themes within it. The Gryffindor house teacher aims to cover all seven novels with such depth that her students are not only reading but experiencing them. To further add to the experience, Mrs. Rogers has gone to great lengths to decorate her classroom to look like Hogwarts, the witchcraft and wizarding school. The classroom walls give off the illusion of being covered in bricks and torches and even having a hallway leading elsewhere. There is an owl, a sorting hat, each of the four houses have their banners hung, and the Hogwarts emblem is on full display too.

“Mrs. Rogers time and effort in decorating the classroom are something I personally appreciate a lot” says Dennise Dominguez.

Karina Angeles adds, “the classroom is so cool, I really feel like I’m at Hogwarts.”

In single night she read the first book cover to cover; instantly loved it. Unlike her, not all her students grew up on the series.

Gleyna Oleynick, a senior at CI, who had never touched a Harry Potter book or seen a movie says it’s something she is “beginning to really like” and she loves “reading it, analyzing, and then discussing it.”

Meanwhile Reyna Plascencia who was introduced to the series just this year calls it “the best thing ever!”

We are only a month into school and Mrs. Rogers is already casting magic.