This month, we’re spotlighting the work of Amber Hodge, an eight-year member of the MLA. Read about Amber’s time on the Committee on K–16 Alliances and why they recommend checking out the MLA Language Map:
“I didn’t know about the Committee on K–16 Alliances until my second year of teaching at an independent school, and I’m only sorry I didn’t know about it sooner! The Committee on K–16 Alliances is a tremendously valuable resource for a huge contingent of our membership—high school teachers, university professors, and graduate students. Between the ever-dire straits of the job market and the assault on the humanities across higher education, making connections between secondary school and college is more important than ever. The committee’s work to build bridges and strengthen existing resources is invaluable in supporting relationships that are vital to preserving the humanities. Since serving on the committee, I’ve spoken on alumni panels and presented at the MLA annual conference about the teaching opportunities for PhDs in independent schools. For me, this path has been a sound and rewarding alternative to academia, offering continued opportunities to research and publish while engaging with students, and I’d love for more graduate students to be aware of the possibilities this career track offers.”
Recommended resource: “The bookstore series Options for Teaching and Approaches to Teaching World Literature are my first stop when revising a course or teaching a new text. Although not related specifically to my discipline, I love the MLA language map. It is an excellent pedagogical tool for learning more about your US student body and for better tailoring your classes to meet their needs.”
Is there someone you’d like to nominate for the MLA member spotlight? Email suggestions to outreach@mla.org.