Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Michael Woodward, Jr..
Hi Dr. Michael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Dr. Michael Woodward Jr. is a native of Miami, Florida and a graduate of Florida A&M University, The University of Nevada Las Vegas, and Barry University. Recently, he has earned his PhD in Education as he amassed 32 self-publications. His feature children’s novel, King Monte: Are You My P.E. Teacher? is a story of a talented young black child named Monte who struggles to find the right role models, conquer self-doubt, and change not just his own life, but the lives of the people he loves.
Michael’s work is inspired by his personal experiences as an elementary school teacher working with low-income, black and brown students who struggled to find fiction they could see themselves in. As one of the few black male teachers, and witnessing the negative impact this had on his students, his passion to tell stories from the lenses of children of color was born.
King Monte: Are You My P.E. Teacher? is the first book from The Inspire(d) Collection with 29 others including King Monte: The Lost Tiger’s Eye, There’s Something About Mommy, Father Father: An Ode to the Fatherless and Forever A Scholar all available for sale at www.michaelwoodwardjr.com.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a self-published author is a challenge within itself. Sadly, there isn’t the machine of a publishing house at my fingertips. There aren’t mentors of award-winning authors to lean in on nor agents to help bolster my brand within this journey. To be honest, it’s quite a lonely one. It’s full of late nights, early mornings, and I hope/think this will land well within my intended audiences. Too often then not, doubt, regret, and imposter syndrome lingers quite closely. I’ve lost count in how many times I’ve quite on projects and books I’ve dreamed of writing when I close my eyes. Yet, through the strength of my village inclusive of my wife, father and both of my mothers I can find the motivation in arm’s reach. Even my siblings and fraternity brothers (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.) keep me grounding and pushed to stay within this fight.
Quite often, things don’t go my way and emails go unread. I find myself having to show people my capabilities with captivating a crowd of children and being the expert I am in my area of knowledge regarding reading, book banning, and censorship. For the longest, I was battling between writing recreationally and writing for my PhD, and now that I have found success with defending my dissertation in the Spring of 2024 life has been much more enjoyable and has allowed me to devote much more time to writing ensuring that all children are represented within my books from emerging readers. Still, the journey continues with leaning into my village and putting my pride aside to meet new people and leverage relationships to drum up credibility and a strong belief within my application.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As I continue navigating life and deciding where to invest my time and resources, one thing remains constant: I will never stop contributing to children and shaping how they see education. In far too many neighborhoods and zip codes, the value of education keeps slipping further down the totem pole of success and sustainability—replaced by music, sports, or entertainment as the primary paths forward.
Too often, when I arrive at schools or events, I’m first mistaken for the DJ or security guard—long before anyone realizes I’m the author there to read to the children. That used to bother me. But over time, I came to understand that these assumptions are part of my purpose: to challenge and redefine expectations, and to show children exactly what they, too, can become—a scholar.
Right now, I’m pouring my energy into a wide range of creative work designed to build belief in young minds. Whether it’s picture books, novels, or animated stories addressing issues in our oceans, communities, or school systems, I will never stop creating meaningful content that children can use to their advantage as they grow and discover who they are.
How do you think about happiness?
Many things bring me joy and happiness, but family, brotherhood, and reading bring me joy. Thankfully, when those three aren’t so much in proximity, my pug does a fine job at filling in the gaps. His name is Gordo and loves his belly rubbed. On a more serious note, my true joy comes from teaching and showing children the beauty in reading. It took some time, but after awhile I learned that education is a gift that sadly is not afforded to all. Sadly, many people of color and those that stem from low income communities struggle to grasp this understanding thus encourages what my father referred to as “fast money.” However, the greatest currency I believe exists is knowledge and can be used to fund pathways that are unimaginable.
Pricing:
- $20 Children Books
- $10 Pre Kinder Books for Emergent Readers
- $10 Curriculum & Activity Workbook
- Free Animations of Children’s Books on YouTube
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michaelwoodwardjr.com
- Instagram: @authormwoodwardjr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-woodward-phd-2720b127
- Youtube: @authormwoodwardjr
- Other: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-ChCcAyM4b2pxQ5dRKdy89qn3086U6AK/edit
