East Michigan News

Central Michigan University alumnus Jason Westra-Hall has been honored with the 2024 Bill Konigsberg Award for Acts and Activism for Equity and Inclusion through Literature. This award recognizes his advocacy for marginalized youth through young adult literature.

Westra-Hall, an English teacher at Grand Ledge High School, graduated from CMU's English Education Program. He is known for providing a supportive environment both in academics and extracurricular activities, creating a safe space where students feel they belong.

The Bill Konigsberg Award was established in 2018 by the Assembly for Literature for Adolescents of the National Council of Teachers of English. It is awarded annually to individuals who advocate selflessly for marginalized youth through various forms of promotion of young adult literature.

Westra-Hall expressed his gratitude upon receiving the award, saying, “At times, education can feel difficult, especially as a queer person, so when recognitions like this award happen, it’s so nice to know I am doing the right thing. At the same time, I also am in awe of being awarded because my instruction is informed by just trying to reach students and support them every step of the way. To fight for students and to support them is just an everyday thing that I aim to do."

He added that CMU’s teacher education program provided him with consistent pedagogy that prepared him well for teaching all students while allowing creativity in his work. “I felt like I had my footing as a teacher before I even stepped into student teaching. The professors and courses at CMU have made it so much easier for me to succeed in this profession.”