Jessica C. Murphy, Ph.D.

Reading is often a solitary activity, but the skills required to understand the lessons literature can teach us about culture and history are best learned as part of a classroom community. I am deeply invested in creating an environment that validates each student's choice to be in my classroom and encourages her to see herself as an important member of its learning community. My hope in every class I teach is that students will learn the skills necessary to deepen their understanding and appreciation of literature.