Professor Jack

Hello! I am honored to be a part of Reading Time with the Teens! When I was growing up here in Idaho, I
loved reading, but was always really aware of how the books I adored didn’t reflect me, a gay child.
Getting to read these books, and guide our participants through thoughtful discussions of each book has
brought me so much joy!

I am currently an instructor at Idaho State University, where I also received my Bachelors and Masters
degrees, both in English! I use my experience as an educator and my English background, to create
thoughtful questions to help lead discussions. I am also a former assistant director of a summer camp,
which is where I learned how rewarding working with teenagers is! That background helps us decide
how to tackle the difficult themes and topics that inevitably come up with each book. My goal for the
group is to always try to help the teens gain a new understanding of the book we’ve
read, and for them to consider the ways literature impacts themselves and the world around them.
 

I myself am an avid reader who truly believes in the power that literature has to bring people together,
share new ideas, break new ground, and create compassionate, thoughtful people.