Tanya Sasser joined the JSU English department as an adjunct instructor in August of 2009 and was reclassified as a full-time instructor in August 2010. Sasser has presented papers on John Clare at the Alabama Regional Graduate Conference and ACETA. Ms. Sasser is also the recipient of the 2009 William J. Calvert Award. With Susan Dean, Sasser creates and posts the podcast Common Grounds, which is sponsored by JSU’s Rebecca O. Turner Faculty Commons for faculty, staff, and students. It can be accessed at http://jsu.edu/faculty-commons/faculty-commons-podcast.html.

Why did you choose to teach English?

It was completely by accident. I was a librarian and then I had to quit to take care of my son when he was born prematurely. To go back to work, I would have had to start all the way back at the bottom of the ladder, so I decided to become a teacher. And I love to read, so English has become an important part of my life. 

What’s the best aspect about teaching English?

I love the opportunity to read interesting books and teach interesting classes. It’s so much fun to help students learn things that can help them with their future careers and help them in life.

Do you have any pets? 

Yes, I have a dog. Her same is Socks, and we don’t know how old she is because we got her from the shelter. We think she’s maybe about five? She’s a “weagle,” part beagle and part dachshund. But again, that’s just a guess because we rescued her from the shelter.  

What classes do you teach? What is your favorite course to teach?

I teach composition most often, and I teach two sections every semester. My favorite class to teach is the Graphic Novel course. What’s better than getting to sit around and talk about comic books? The students get credit hours for it, and I get paid to do what I love. I love Mondays because that is when the new comics come out on the Marvel Unlimited App. If you love something and you can bring it into your work, then why not?