Words that Inspire

At The Oaks Academy, we are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of two of our talented educators, Maurice Broaddus and Janna Matthies, who have recently been honored with the prestigious Indiana Authors Awards. The Indiana Authors Awards honor and celebrate the literary contributions of Hoosier authors, recognizing the best books written by Indiana writers and promoting the state’s vibrant literary community.

Maurice, our Middle School Librarian and resource teacher, won the award in the Middle Grade category for his book, Unfadeable, in 2024, adding to his previous 2020 Genre win. This year, he was joined by Janna, our Early Education Music Teacher, who was recognized in the Children’s category for her book, Here We Come! 

Both Maurice and Janna draw inspiration from their daily interactions with students at The Oaks, and their works reflect a passion for storytelling that resonates with readers of all ages. Read on to discover how their experiences at The Oaks have shaped their writing and their hopes for the next generation of readers and writers.

In the announcement video, you both shared that your work environment at The Oaks influenced these award-winning books. 

Maurice, can you share more about the interaction with your student, Bella, which ultimately sparked “Unfadable”?

During my first year of teaching, I was talked into starting a creative writing club by a bunch of rambunctious 8th graders. The Creative Writing Club ran for ten weeks, resulting in some great stories being written. When they graduated, I received an email through my website from one of those students, Bella Faidley. 

She asked if there were any intern opportunities with me. Our mentorship culminated with her attending GenCon with me where she ended up writing a piece on her experience, which was eventually published.

Flash forward a year. Bella returned to my classroom for a visit. Being the nosy snoop that she is, was looking over my shoulder when I squeaked after receiving an e-mail from my editor, Claudia. She was asking for pitches for a new book. And thus Bella Fades was born.

Janna, can you share more about how your music classroom inspires your writing?

As a picture book author, the intended audience of my writing is approximately age 3 to 8, so hanging out with the Early Ed crowd at school keeps me in touch with this age group. They are curious and imaginative; they have big emotions and let them flow freely; and they are full of faith, believing God can do big things… believing the unbelievable is possible. Rubbing shoulders with our students between the ages of four and seven helps me to refocus my inner child and write from that expansive, vulnerable place. Plus, they are darn cute! Who wouldn’t want to create good things to put into their hands?

What is a unique perspective you bring to your writing because you spend your days in an educational environment, surrounded by these bright young minds who are looking for inspiration, purpose, and beauty?

Janna: Many adults look at Pre-K students and Kindergarteners and assume they aren’t capable of deep thoughts and profound understanding. I am continually amazed at the questions my students ask and the insights they share as we sing songs, learn to play instruments, and discuss books together. When I’m writing for little ones, I don’t feel limited by their ages and capacities but rather free to draw out what I know is inside them.

Maurice: I understand middle schoolers I love that I’ve been called their co-conspirator, their safe space, or their “practice adult”. I hear their concerns, their opinions, their thoughts, their dreams. And I respect them, as thinkers and future leaders. They are each a multiverse of possibilities. So I write to voice them and challenge them, never underestimating their intelligence. 

At The Oaks, our mission is to support the whole personhood of our students and encourage their emotional, spiritual, and social maturity in addition to their academic development. Why is it important to mentor the next generation, support their voices and encourage their journey to maturity?

Janna: In a society that is becoming less human and more polarized, fast-paced and technological, teachers and artists are in a unique position to emphasize what it is to be a person. Even as a small but early influence in a child’s life, I have the opportunity to share love and empathy with them. To look them in the eye and notice who God has created them to be and to affirm it as we work together. To help foster a love of music and words and dance and the joy of engaging in those soul-enriching activities as a community. It sometimes feels like a very small drop in their buckets, but as the child with five loaves and two fish demonstrated, God can multiply our offerings for a far-reaching impact. 

What else would you like to share about your work writing or at The Oaks?

Maurice: I recently said this at a librarians gathering: 

We create space for people to dream. As a librarian, as a writer, as a teacher, I am cognizant of the fact that we have a sacred responsibility. Because I am a writer, I choose my words carefully, so let me repeat that: we have a sacred responsibility.

As writers, we are the creators of stories.
As librarians, we are the keepers of stories.
We are the cultural and institutional memory of our society.
As teachers, we have the responsibility to pass those stories down.
       The stories that shape us as people.
       The stories that shape us as a culture.
       The stories that shape future generations.
This is how we begin to create the future we want to see. Together. To help make the world a better place.