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Author Biographies

Amanda Stearns-Pfeiffer is an Associate Professor of English in the Department of English at Oakland University (Rochester, Michigan) where she has taught English methods, Young Adult Literature (YAL), Grammar, and Contemporary Literature courses since 2013. Dr. Stearns-Pfeiffer’s research interests include practice-based English education, the representation of girls in sports in YAL, and the role YAL can play in the ELA methods classroom.

Ashleigh S. Dubie earned her B.A. in Secondary English Education from Oakland University – Rochester Hills. Dubie earned her M.S. in for Curriculum and Instruction. Living in the Metro Detroit area, Dubie works at a fully International Baccalaureate (IB) world high school, International Academy Okma – Bloomfield Hills. Dubie completed her student teaching at Bloomfield Hills High School – Bloomfield Hills. Dubie mainly works with the Diploma Programme (DP) for Literature; additionally, she also teaches and supervises Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay, respectively. In terms of literature, Dubie is invested in studying Early American and Colonial literature as a way of gaining insight into the lasting effects of colonialism and puritan ideologies.

Catherine J. Miller completed her Masters in the Art of Teaching, Secondary Education, at Oakland University, in Rochester, MI in 2023. Prior to teaching, Catherine practiced law for a number of years, concentrating in the area of consumer litigation. Catherine teaches Honors 9th Grade ELA, 10th ELA, and 12th ELA in the English Department at Royal Oak High School, Michigan.

Abstract

Abstract: This article is a glimpse into Young Adult Literature (YAL) pedagogy from a generational perspective. One university professor and two of her former students describe the processes, pedagogies, and challenges of introducing YAL theory, texts, and topics in university methods courses, as well as in the secondary English Language Arts (ELA) classroom. The former students will report on how they have taken ideologies and lessons learned from their university methods courses and implemented YAL in their ELA classrooms during their intern teaching semesters. Finally, the importance of including YAL in our classrooms in order to build empathy, engagement, and empowerment for our students will be underscored; places for improvement in our pedagogies will also be highlighted. The topic of YAL inclusion and advocacy is timely due to the current climate of increased scrutiny and censorship of books in our schools.

Publication Date

8-2025

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