October 27, 2020
Wheaton College welcomes Steven Layne, who is serving the College as Professor of Education.
Name: Steven Layne
Education:
B.A., Judson University, Psychology & Education, 1987
M.S. Ed., Northern Illinois University, Reading Education, 1992
Ed.D., Northern Illinois University, Literacy Education/Children’s and Adolescent Literature, 1996
1. What was your favorite class in college? Why?
Children’s and/or Adolescent Literature. I have always marveled at the effort required to say big things in small ways, and I have a deep appreciation for the process involved in contributing to the reflection point within children and adolescents via text. The specialization I pursued within my doctoral degree was literature for children and teens because I never lost the love I gained for those books as an undergraduate; my work as an author of books for both young readers and young adults stemmed from my own college career.
2. Before Wheaton, what were you doing?
For 15 years, I worked as a professor of literacy and literature at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and loved every minute of it. This past year, I took a temporary position, serving as Assistant Dean of Teacher Preparation and School Psychology at University of the Pacific in California. I was away from literacy for one year, and I am so ready to be back!
3. What big question are you trying to answer through your work?
How do we most effectively equip adults who work with children and adolescents to act with intentionality to engage K-12 readers with text.
4. What has kept you busy during the pandemic?
Trying to find a quiet room in my house where I can Zoom! My wife is an elementary principal, and I have four kids. It’s better now that summer is here, but there were many days between March and May when all six of us were in online meetings or classes. It was a circus (but I love a challenge). Helping my kids try to stay focused on handling the unanticipated changes the pandemic has brought in a grace-filled manner has been a time investment as well.
5. Do you get butterflies the night before the first day of school?
Never … but decent sleep is not possible. I am usually up most of the night changing my lesson plans or adding something new that I just thought of at 3:00 a.m. I LOVE the first day of class. Actually, I love every day of class. Teaching is the most amazing privilege.
6. What would you have liked to tell the freshman version of yourself about going to college?
You will meet people who will truly be your friends for life, and your professors will be committed to you for all time. I was happy to attend college, but I was not yet aware of just how amazing the experience would be, nor did I comprehend the ripple effect that would be eternal. I would also tell the freshman me to ask Debbie Dover out sooner than I did. I married her in the end, but why did I wait so long to ask her out?
7. When you’re not teaching or researching, what do you like to do?
I like to go for walks with my wife and to have time on the porch swing with my kids to hear what’s on their hearts. I love to play with our dog. I like to play board games (Settlers of Catan, anyone), charades, spoons, and nearly any kind of card game (especially “Hand and Foot”); I am very competitive. I love to watch my kids play soccer, basketball, and volleyball. I love to sing with a group of skilled musicians and also to listen to talented musicians perform. I do a lot of public speaking which I very much enjoy—especially in other countries because I always learn so much. And of course, I love to read and to write. I love to have my morning devotions in a very still and quiet house with a warm beverage.