Being a college student is hard enough, but try being but a learner and the master! Emily Masuda is an undergrad, but she designed and is teaching her own student-led course, ENL 98F, a Children’s Literature Workshop for Reading, Writing, and Illustrating. I caught up with Emily to see what it’s like balancing both sides of the classroom desk.
Year: 3rd
Major: English. I’m also planning to minor in Education and Professional Writing.
Hometown: Durham, California
How did you end up teaching a class as an undergrad?
It really began with an email in fall quarter about student-run courses that are being offered on campus. It was something that was started last year by a Physics student, who is now in charge of opening the program up for students in departments across campus. So I went to the informational meeting and it really resonated with me.
How did you create your own class?
It had to be something that wasn’t offered in Davis. I couldn’t just offer another creative writing course—it had to offer a new lens and some nuance to what’s already being offered by our department. So that was already a struggle because our department offers so many great classes already.
I took ENL 180, Children’s Lit, with Elizabeth Miller in spring 2015, and absolutely loved the course. I’ve also always loved creating writing—I took ENL 5F, 100F, 100NF, and now I’m in 100FA. So the class I’m teaching is an amalgamation of those courses. I contacted Professor Miller to be my mentor. It was a two-quarter commitment, so winter quarter, we met weekly to construct a syllabus and create writing exercises.
As of this interview, you’ve taught two classes so far. How has it been?
It’s a two-unit class, P/NP, so I wanted the course to be not too rigorous, but still demanding enough to be simulating. We meet for two hours every Monday in one of the small workshop rooms in Voorhies. Before the first class, I was really nervous, doubting myself and wondering what made me qualified to teach. I’m not an expert like our professors. Some of my students are older than me. But I’m really passionate and since I’m as much of a peer as a mentor, that gives us some space for really some cool things and rich discussions. We can relate to each other about the texts and our stories.
What’s the curriculum like?
In the first four weeks, students will have a 10-minute book project presentation. Each student will have a picture or chapter book they want to share, along with one discussion question. In the second half of the quarter, they will have a workshop story due. This will be text-based with a minimum of 6 pages, though they can have illustrations if they want. As with the other creative writing workshops, their peers will respond to what they’ve written and give feedback to help them revise.
This week, they had a picture book due, and for their final portfolio they’ll turn in either a revision or a completely new one as well. We have weekly writing exercises and readings. We’ll discuss the importance of imagination, setting, character development, illustrations. Also, we’re collaborating with a 4th-grade class. They created picture books and my students will send them responses. We’ll send back either our picture books or workshop stories so the 4th graders can respond to our work and we can get feedback from the actual audience of children. That’s a part that I’ve been really excited about.
What else are you involved in? I was wondering if you are into art as well, since there’s an illustration component in the class.
I’m doing the double emphasis in the English major, so I’m doing my Critical Honors thesis with Professor Dolan, and will be doing my Creative thesis next quarter. I also tutor for Workload 57 through the Entry-Level writing program.I’ve always loved drawing. I was that kid on the airplane who would not bring GameBoys; I’d bring my 64-pack of crayons with the sharpener in the back. I think it’s amazing that we can have classes that encourage what we’re intrinsically passionate about, and that’s what writing and drawing have been for me.
Would you be willing to talk about your own writing?
I carry around a small journal everywhere where I write down little moments of inspiration. I tend to write coming-of-age short stories, which is also why I think I really connect with children’s literature. I haven’t written too many picture books, but it’s definitely something I would want to pursue. I started writing in 7th grade and I would illustrate my texts and give them as gifts. For me, combining writing with illustrating has been such a natural thing.
What plans do you have after graduating?
For a while I thought I’d like to teach high school, but part of the reason I wanted to teach a student-led course here is so I could work with undergraduates and see if maybe this is the level of education where I want to teach. So far I love it, and I love tutoring also, helping people improve their rhetoric and writing skills as well as creative writing, so if I can somehow combine those that would be wonderful. I’m considering MFA and MA programs for writing, as well as taking a gap year to get more experiences.
Lastly, what are some of your favorite children’s books?
That’s hard! I’ve always loved Kate DiCamillo. I remember doing a 5th grade book project and drawing my versions of all the illustrations in The Tale of Despereaux. She also did Because of Winn-Dixie and a lot of other great books. There’s a really cool picture book called Animalia. I also really liked E.B. White and The Trumpeter of the Swan. Sharon Creech.