Meet Our Instructors: Madison Epner

Madison Epner

Major: Writing Seminars

Minor: Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies

What is your favorite lesson you’ve taught? Why?

My favorite lesson that I’ve taught for my students has been a three-part character-creation lesson. We paired our students into groups with their friends and gave them different archetypes (such as hero and villain) upon which to base their characters. I could see how much my students enjoyed character creation and using their knowledge from other media (like movies and TV shows) to determine characterizing details. I’m so glad that the students enjoyed this because they can now use these characters in our future lessons.

I also enjoyed this lesson because we devoted an entire class to sharing their work. As a playwright, I’m proud to see my students’ growing stage confidence. The connection between performance and writing often gets downplayed, so I love any time I can connect the two for my students!

What inspired you to work with WBS?

After my freshman year, I worked as a counselor at the summer camp affiliated with my preschool. This camp centered mostly around replicating the campers’ normal school environment, with some special activities like art and science experiments mixed in. I loved being able to connect with campers of various ages, and especially with the older campers, being able to encourage their passions. I found myself missing this environment throughout the next academic year, so applying to work with WBS seemed like the natural solution for me as a Writing Seminars major to find a way while at college to work with younger students in a relaxed, but still academic environment.

What is something you love doing even though you’re not good at it?

I feel strongly that everyone should have hobbies which they’re bad at; mine are drawing, painting, and playing the piano. (If you ever look at the doodles in my notebook, do not expect them to hold any artistic value.)