I am passionate about education as it leads to cross cultural connections. Language learning is not only about communicating ideas, but also learning how to function within a cultural mindset different from one’s own. Through the study of language, students learn to reflect on their own ideas and culture. I strive to create inclusive classroom communities in which all students feel their voices are welcome and respected. This includes teaching new language developments such as non-binary pronouns and écriture inclusive. This also means reading outside the traditional literary canon. As a researcher, I’m interested in epic poetry of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, particularly how epic conflict is enacted upon female bodies. I have also published and presented on queer representation in medieval and contemporary texts. https://jessicajappleby.com/https://uco-us.academia.edu/JessicaJAppleby