Dan Murphy

Meet Dan

Dan is a seasoned writing instructor who truly enjoys working with students and helping them find their way as authors. An enthusiastic wordsmith with a fondness for the writing process, he relishes the work that goes into crafting an original and memorable composition. As an essay specialist, he is especially eager to help students showcase their talents, passions, and creativity as meaningful personal assets.

Dan has taught writing, literature, and film at both the high school and college level for sixteen years. Presently, he teaches 11th and 12th grade English at Roanoke Catholic School in southwestern Virginia. His expertise in writing pedagogy extends to curriculum design and academic programming. Reflecting his experience in multimedia composition and technical writing, Dan created new writing courses and coordinated dual enrollment pathways for Bishop Ireton High School, Ferrum College, and Roanoke Catholic School.

Education & Experience

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Dan earned his BA in English and History from the University of Washington, his MA in English from Western Washington University, and his PhD in English with a concentration in American literature and media studies from the University of Notre Dame in 2017. During graduate school, he also worked as an EMT and volunteer firefighter for both the Whatcom County and South Bend Fire Departments. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, hiking, trail running, and co-producing an academic podcast about films and the movie industry.