Children's/Young Adult Literature

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I hold a graduate certificate in Children's and Adolescent Literature and Culture from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Although my education and experience with children's literature and culture were broad and inclusive, most of my personal research focuses on Indigenous authors and stories, as well as the work of Fred Rogers. I have published an article, designed courses, and presented at several conferences on both topics.

"Dancing Indian Princess: How Appropriation of Native American Dance is Sexual Violence." Voices from the Wreckage: Young Adult Voices in the #MeToo Movement, edited by Kimberly Karshner. Vernon Press, 2023. 

"'Mr. Merry, I Think that You're My Neighbor': Merry's Museum, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, and the Power of Letters." Children's Literature Association Annual Conference, June 2020, Bellevue, Washington. (Conference cancelled due to COVID-19)

"Sexualizing the Sacred Appropriation of Native American Dance and Women in Children's and Young Adult Literature." Southwest Popular/American Culture Association Annual Conference, February 2020, Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Presented at Rachel Huddleston.)

"Sexualizing the Sacred: Appropriation of Native American Dance." Children's Literature Association Annual Conference, June 2019, Indianapolis, Indiana. (Presented as Rachel Huddleston)

ENG 406: Adolescent Literature 

Designed and taught at Texas A&M University-Commerce

Focused on North American and Canadian Indigenous literature written for children/young adults. Students focused on critical reading, performing research, and forming their own unique connections and ideas between the two, ultimately resulting in a conference presentation.

ENG 697: The Rhetoric of Mister Rogers

Assisted Dr. Shannon Carter in designing

This was a graduate-level special-topics course studying the rhetoric of Fred Rogers and the communication strategies he employed on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. I assisted in choosing course materials, creating assignments, and drafting a course calendar. It was offered as a May-Mini course at Texas A&M-Commerce in May 2021.

ENG 3313: Children's Literature

Taught at Southwestern Assemblies of God University

This is a predesigned children's literature survey course offered to English and Elementary Education majors. Although the materials were predetermined, I did create unique lectures, assignments, and course activities.