Since the inauguration of our Concentration in Children’s Literature as part of our M.A. in English in 2006, fantastic students have made the most of our program.
Bringing their considerable talents to our classroom discussions, program, and community, they have studied, taught, traveled, conferenced, written, expressed themselves through Stitch memes, and excelled. During their time in the M.A. program, a number of them have also been selected to teach our introductory undergraduate course, ENGL 355 “Literature for Children,” an opportunity available through the advanced professional development training that we provide to our second-year students.
Whether they went on to complete doctorates or write children’s and adolescent literature or become accomplished editors or channel what they learned in our courses into other classrooms with other students, something of their K-State experience remains with them.
Enjoy this selection of reflections from some of our many graduates — and, if you know someone who would like to join us for our MA in English with a concentration in Children’s Literature, either online or on campus, send them our way!
— Anne Phillips, Professor / Associate Department Head and Anuja Madan, Associate Professor
The best thing about the graduate program in English at K-State is the faculty. Despite being home to some of the most celebrated scholars in the field, they always felt accessible. They were genuinely interested in my success in the program and beyond. This program encourages students to step into spaces that many M.A. students might otherwise fear and equips them with the tools needed to thrive there. I was able to present my work at conferences and pursue publishing opportunities. I was able to meet Jacqueline Woodson, teach a course in children’s literature, and anticipate future Caldecott winners. Those experiences became the things that set me apart in my pursuits after leaving the program. Even today, I feel supported by the program faculty. I also feel inspired to offer the students I encounter similarly positive experiences.
— Latrice Ferguson (MA ’19) / MLIS, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, East Carolina University
The Children’s Literature program at K-State was exactly what I needed! The program allowed me to explore different media for children such as films, graphic novels and animation. With the invaluable support of the department, I was able to research current issues in pop culture in films and animation that I loved, using interdisciplinary approaches that only made me a better researcher. The most important takeaway from the program for me was the academic support and mentorship the department gives to students. I have never seen a department that is so invested in the academic journey of their students like the English Department at K-State.
— Stephen Antwi (MA ’24) / GED Instructor/Adjunct Lecturer SUNY Westchester Community College
Deciding to get a Master’s Degree in English at K-State is one of the best decisions I’ve made both personally and professionally. In addition to getting to study with some of the best children’s literature scholars in the country, I got to know a lot of other excellent graduate students both in and out of the classroom. The small graduate class sizes as well as the personalized attention and support that Master’s students get to develop their research ideas is a unique aspect of this program that I appreciate even more in hindsight. K-State’s English program set me up for success by providing me with a strong foundation in children’s literature studies as well as an understanding of how academia works that has helped me succeed since graduating as an (early career) children’s literature scholar myself.
— Corinne Matthews (MA ’17) / Ph.D., Brittain Postdoctoral Fellow, Writing and Communication Program, Georgia Institute of Technology
I was lucky enough to complete my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Kansas State, and even after six years at the school I wish I could have explored more of the English classes available. I learned a lot from the graduate program’s Children’s Literature track faculty. My professors encouraged me to dig deeper into comics studies in a way I hadn’t considered before. Faculty like Dr. Anuja Madan and the staff at the Writing Center strengthened me as a writer, and I’m grateful I had their guidance to pass on as I teach my own students.
— Leif Nelson (MA ’21)
A lot has happened since my last update. In August, my daughter Sage was born. Six weeks later, my debut YA novel, Lucy, Uncensored (cowritten with my sister Teghan), was published with Knopf. It was a busy fall, to say the least! Now I’m hard at work on my next novel, which is under contract with Knopf.
I continue to be grateful for my time at K-State. Even though I was on the children’s literature track, I was still able to take a creative writing course with Dan Hoyt, which helped plant the seeds for the writing career I have today. I don’t think I would’ve gotten that kind of opportunity anywhere else!.
— Mel Hammond (MA ’14)
I loved my years at K-State. Within the Children’s Literature community, I was welcomed by people who delighted in some of my favorite stories. Instead of one of my book rants/raves being met with “that’s nice” by well-meaning listeners, I was surrounded by colleagues who shared my joy for the seemingly “little things” in life. Truly, I had found my people. They challenged me, wanting to know more about my personal take, adding to my argument or sharpening my perspective. The Children’s Lit community celebrates the seemingly insignificant, which is such a delight to take part in.
— Katherine Dubke (MA ’21)
The K-State English Department is the opposite of the ivory tower stereotype. Instead, it’s a village of interdisciplinary experts who work together to help each student learn to read, write, research, adapt, and grow. Most of my teaching, critical thinking, and communication skills are from taking English classes at K-State.
After teaching at K-State for seven years, I worked as an assistant editor for the Nebraska State Historical Society’s publications department and then oversaw the 4-H program in a two county unit, teaching lessons about agriculture and organizing and running two county fairs a year. I am currently a high school teacher in a small, rural school where I have taught English 6 through English 12 and agriculture education classes such as Natural Resources, Food Science, Plant Science, and Ag Leadership. I am also the speech coach and FFA advisor. My ability to balance and engage with two different pathways at once definitely started with my dual children’s literature and creative writing experiences in the K-State English Department.
— Kylie Kinley (MA ’13)
I was a teacher prior to entering the K-State Children’s Literature track, and afterwards I have worked as a freelance writer and as an adjunct at a community college. My experiences as a student and GTA positively affected the ways I teach and write about literature and learning, and I have even used the critical ways I learned to look at children’s literature as examples while teaching writing and reading. As a previous high school teacher, I had confidence in my classroom abilities but was not sure how that would translate to the college classroom. The classes, professional training, and feedback I received at K-state helped me to develop more student-driven ways to work as a teacher. The time I spent at K-State was wonderful academically and personally!
— Meredith Flory (MA ’13) / Freelance writer and college instructor
As a secondary education teacher, I’ve benefited tremendously from my experience in the Children’s Lit track; I’m able to directly apply the texts, lessons, and resources amassed over the two years on an almost daily basis. Only 5 years out of the program, I’ve already introduced titles from Dr. Tatonetti’s courses and Multicultural Children’s Literature, with great interest across grade levels. While my B.S. in Education was a great foundation for my teaching career, the Children’s Lit track provided a fresh, relevant approach not only to classics but contemporary YA texts, upon which I still heavily rely. Additionally, I’ve been able to stay in contact with several K-State English professors, and they’re always very supportive and happy to point me toward the resources I’m looking for. I can’t recommend the Children’s Lit program enough!
— Molly (Burt) Curtis (MA ’20) / high school teacher
K-State English 