Rate My Professor Aaron Levy

Aaron Levy is a Professor of Creative Writing and English Education in the Department of English at Kennesaw State University, where he currently serves as Director of the Master of Arts in Professional Writing program. A former high school English and theatre teacher, Levy earned an MFA in creative writing with a focus on scriptwriting and a PhD in curriculum and instruction from Arizona State University. From 2016 to 2020, he worked full-time as Director of Academics for the Georgia Film Academy, leading the development of the Dramatic Writing for Film, Television, and Theatre 1 course, which became a new elective option fulfilling English Language Arts requirements for high schools across Georgia. His academic career emphasizes integrating creative writing and dramatic techniques into English education to engage students, particularly in addressing adolescent issues through literature and performance.

Levy's publications demonstrate his impact in young adult literature and playwriting. His debut YA novel, Blood Don’t Lie (Goodreads Press, 2016), follows thirteen-year-old Larry Ratner as he confronts bullying, first love, family financial struggles, and cultural heritage after moving to an affluent suburb, earning the Georgia Author of the Year Award for young adult fiction in 2018. His play Pizza With Shrimp On Top (Dramatic Publishing) has seen over 60 national and international productions and was nominated for the 2007 AATE Distinguished Play Award for middle and secondary school audiences. Other works include the ten-minute play Bolt-Cutter Man, selected for production at Thespian Production Inc.'s festival at New York City's Joria Mainstage Theatre; the recent play The Student Body (2024), a quarterfinalist in the ScreenCraft Playwriting Competition, semifinalist at the Austin Film Festival Stage Play Competition, and finalist at the Southeastern Theatre Conference, premiered by Destination Theatre in Atlanta; and short stories such as Lucy's Life (Every Day Fiction, 2013), The Mall (Black Heart Magazine), and The Farm (Linguistic Erosion), with additional pieces in Bohemia Art & Literary Journal and Eleveneleven Arts and Literary Journal. As MAPW director, Levy oversees graduate capstone showcases and awards, contributing to professional writing education.