Author Biography
Hermione DeWitt is a graduate student in James Madison University's Master of Arts in Teaching program and a graduate assistant in the College of Education. She earned her bachelor's degree in English, minoring in secondary education. Post-graduation, she hopes to grow the hearts and minds of the next generation as a middle school ELA teacher.
Ellie Fisher is an undergraduate student at James Madison University studying secondary education and English. After graduation, she plans to teach high school ELA and share her love for literature and learning with students.
Zoe McDowell is a graduate student in James Madison University's Master of Arts in Teaching program. She is excited to be a classroom teacher and grow her students love of literacy.
Kaleigh D. Phelps is a graduate student in James Madison University's Master of Arts in Teaching program. After graduation, she hopes to teach high school English. She is a collector of stories and has a deep passion for global and literacy education.
Liz Shanks is a graduate student in James Madison University's Master of Arts in Teaching program. She earned her bachelor's degree in 2023, majoring in English with minors in secondary education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and African, African-American, and Diaspora Studies. She aspires to help educators everywhere become more conscious learners and active members of their communities.
Haley Smiley is an incoming graduate student in James Madison University's Master's in Arts of Teaching program. She earned her bachelor's degree in December 2024, majoring in English with minors in secondary education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). After graduation, she plans to teach middle school English language arts.
Mark A. Lewis is professor of literacy education at James Madison University. His research interests include examining and critiquing representations of adolescence and youth in young adult and adult literature, defining the multifaceted literary competence of secondary students, and identifying effective ways to support multilingual learners.
Melanie Shoffner, PhD, is a professor of English education at James Madison University and editor of English Education. Her research examines the intersections of secondary teacher education, ELA pedagogical content knowledge, and reflective practice.
Recommended Citation
DeWitt, Hermione; Fisher, Ellie; McDowell, Zoe; Phelps, Kaleigh D.; Shanks, Liz; Smiley, Haley; Lewis, Mark A.; and Shoffner, Melanie
(2025)
"Finding “Heart, Hope, and Humanity” at the 2024 NCTE Annual Convention,"
Virginia English Journal: Vol. 73:
Iss.
1, Article 6.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.bridgewater.edu/vej/vol73/iss1/6
