Susan Dean is an Instructor of English at JSU. After earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in English from JSU, she joined the English department as an instructor. She teaches composition courses, oral communication, and American literature. She is also a co-host of the JSU podcast Common Grounds, which is a podcast sponsored by JSU’s Rebecca O. Turner Faculty Commons for faculty, staff, and students. The podcast can be accessed at this website: https://commongrounds.transistor.fm/ 

Why did you decide to teach English?  

They tell you to do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. And I come from generations of teaching. My mother was a reading teacher, my great-grandmother was an English teacher, and my career kind of just evolved from that. It’s in my blood.  

What do you love about teaching in the English Department?  

I love the versatility of it. You can help students with their future careers, regardless of what that might be. We have classes geared toward professional writing, oral communication, and creative writing—all courses that will benefit any career.  

Do you have any pets?  

I have two cats. I have a black cat that is about three years old named Lenore (from Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven”) that we rescued from the Humane Society. And then we have another tabby who is about six years old named Cinderella Mousetrap Dean (named by my daughter). 

What courses do you teach? Which course is your favorite? 

I mostly teach composition and American literature, which I love, but my favorite classes are the ones where I get to step outside of the traditional courses. I loved teaching Tolkien with Tanya Sasser, and I love getting to teach Gothic literature. Of course, it’s always fun to teach experimental courses, too, or new courses that are being developed.