Megan Nieto's Passion For English

Waltzing into our campus Starbucks, Megan Nieto, a refreshing young professor-to-be, beams and giggles as she recalls her first experience as an instructor, "When I was an SI leader a professor had me lecture his students on the Harlem Renaissance poets, I was so nervous! But once I began connecting with the students, it became natural and I knew this was the career for me." With a mere nine months of full-blown teaching experience underneath her belt, it is apparent that Nieto's teaching expertise falls far beyond that short length of time. A lifelong aficionado of contemporary literature and English studies, pursuing a career as a professor was a no-brainer for Nieto.

Born in San Antonio, Nieto is a native Texan who became aware of her passion early on, "I have always been a big reader, I came from a family of readers. My mom taught me how to read when I was three years old and my older sister used to bring home books for me." Finding herself settled in Laredo, Nieto graduated from Alexander High School where, in her senior year, she was exposed to classic world literature for the very first time and began to perceive a love for critical thinking emerge. She decided to pursue her Bachelor's degree in Mathematics at Texas A & M International University (TAMIU), but upon her first semester as an undergraduate, her hidden dream finally made an appearance. "I took the required number of literature courses, yet it wasn't enough for me. Sharing my thoughts with my professors and classmates gave me an amazing feeling, so I took extra courses. I had discovered a hidden passion and a love I had never imagined; that very semester, I changed my major." While she was still uncertain of her career path, Nieto attributes her decision to become an instructor of higher learning to a great number of invaluable experiences and opportunities. Other than her position as a supplemental instructor for the university's Writing Center, Nieto came to her decision due to the vast amount of professors that treated her as a colleague, rather than a mere student and the great deal of self expression they afforded her.

When questioned about her philosophy and driving force behind teaching, Nieto grins and says, "It's really important that I attempt to make the reading material relevant to the students. They often view literature courses as dead pieces of writing that aren't applicable to their lived experiences, so I try to find ways to connect the two." As for her main goal as a professor, Nieto identifies having the ability to expose students to voices that are commonly left out of education, such as minorities, as her focus. With the vast amount of knowledge and strategies Nieto has picked up along her journey, she attributes her success to none other than fellow literature professor, Dr. Penny Vlagopoulos, "She's great. She has treated me as a colleague and friend since I first met her and allowed me so many opportunities for growth and guidance. She taught me how to grade, she taught me everything!" Nieto mentions that her favorite aspect of teaching is experiencing her students' realizations when they finally understand a story and find it relevant and understand why it is important. She notes observing her students connect the readings with real life events is undoubtedly the most rewarding moment within her profession.

This spring, Nieto will be teaching Freshman Composition (English 1301 and 1302), as well as American Literature 2327 and 2328 classes. Megan Nieto is an inspiring and thriving professor with the ability to make any english course an eye-opening and exciting experience. She is definitely a professor to consider before classes start filling up.

For a detailed list of classes offered by Nieto, feel free to contact her via email: menieto@tamiu.edu.

(Allison Ramirez- allisonramirez@dusty.tamiu.edu and Karen Alanis- karenalanis@dusty.tamiu.edu can be reached via email)