MFA in Creative Writing - Sonya Huber

Teaching Philosophy

I mix accessibility and directness in the classroom; my particular strengths include a strong sense of humor, a great deal of energy for and commitment to teaching and to my students, and a passion for process-driven writing as an exploration of the self and a method for connecting with one’s community.I find my own journey as a writer and a student to be of daily relevance for my teaching. As a component of a process-oriented approach, I share my own struggles and methods with my students. As a meditation practitioner, I am particularly interested in helping students to train themselves in mindful observation of thought processes and experiences in order to mine daily life for writing material.In addition to close reading of texts, my creative nonfiction classes approach readings within an ethical framework to discuss the many controversial and complex choices involved with presenting the author’s version of truth. Another ethical component I stress in my writing is the requirement to add perspective by reflecting on one’s role in the narrative and in the larger story being told. I specialize in writing about political issues, engagements, and entanglements, in writing about the spiritual, and in addiction and recovery narratives.