Interview is edited for length and clarity.
What drew you to children’s literature?
My grandmother is the earliest influence I can remember. I was a voracious reader, which she actively encouraged. She took me to see “Peter Pan,” the musical, when I was very young. I was affected by that story and the world James Matthew Barrie created, and I have never quite forgotten how special that was for me.
Why did you choose to study at Simmons?
That was all due to my thesis advisor, Tamsen Wolff. I completed my undergraduate degree at Princeton in theater and dance. I was actually directing the original stage play of Peter Pan, and she was my advisor and recommended that I explore children's literature. I didn't even realize that was an opportunity I could go do, and she specifically mentioned Simmons University.
Did you have any internships? What was that like?
I was actually a librarian. I worked at the Boston Collegiate Charter School, which was amazing because the school let me help to expand their collection of books. I also put books in the hands of children, which felt so rewarding. It was great to take what I was learning in the classroom and literally apply it to drawing kids into libraries and helping them learn.
For a time, you were an adjunct professor at Simmons. What was that like?
I was a professor for roughly five years, and I had many classes. I did a class on The Wizard of Oz, which was fascinating. I did a class entirely looking at the Americanization of fairy tales. I am proud of each class I designed, especially one I created about the rereading of race and class in children’s literature. It is still going just with a different professor currently, and I am so happy to see Simmons continuing to use that material.
Did you have a favorite course at Simmons? Why?
That is a two-part answer. Anything I studied with Cathryn Mercier was my favorite because she's my favorite. If I had to pick courses that stand out in my mind, there are two. One was “Nonfiction” with Susan Bloom, a former professor. Oftentimes, when people think of children's literature, they think of fiction. This was all children's nonfiction, and it made me think about the genre in an entirely different way.
Then, one of the hardest classes that I took and that I am still using to this day is the picture book making course. Both expanded my knowledge of children’s literature, and I have fond memories associated with them.
How did Simmons’ history as a women-centered institution affect your education?
It was one of the things I loved most about being at Simmons. I'm a Black man, so I've always been a minority in every space that I'm in. At Simmons, in the grad program, I was a minority in an entirely different way. I was one of the only men in the program. It was kind of incredible to have gone from my background in an all-boys high school to this graduate program, where I was mostly with women.
I was able to see women take over academic spaces and lead. I wish every man got to be a minority in space in that way. I think it was one of the most enriching experiences I've ever had.
What is your current role? How long have you been there?
I am a high school humanities teacher at a private co-ed High School in California. I primarily teach juniors and seniors. For the juniors, it's American history and American English, but my more creative side is able to come out when deciding on what texts to use in the coursework. Along with designing the core curriculum, teachers are also able to design electives.
In my electives, I always embed children's literature somehow. I actually did a children's literature course last year. It was in great attendance! I actually got Chris Cormier Hayes, who's still a professor at Simmons, to Zoom in and talk about her dad, Robert Cormier, and his book The Chocolate War.
Are you still in touch with other Simmons alumnae/i or professors?
Yes, Cathryn Mercier and I are very close friends. I actually was abroad with her last year. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor or a better friend. She's championed me and helped advise me, and she's just brilliant.
I'm still in touch with some of my Simmons colleagues, professionally and personally. It’s great to have people to share your academic interests with, but also get through life with them.