Profile - Melody L. Heide

Melody Heide 1534X985

Instructor Profile

Meet Melody L. Heide
Instructor of English

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing, Minnesota State University Mankato Bachelor of Science (BS) in English, North Central University

Question and Answer

  • Question

    What is your approach to teaching?

    Answer

    I work from the perspective that there is still so much to learn, and I believe that communicating clearly and effectively is an ability that all need, no matter their lifestyle and career. I teach to help students become better writers and better communicators.

  • Question

    What inspires you as a teacher?

    Answer

    I had many wonderful teachers as an undergraduate and graduate student. I am also inspired by the work my colleagues do--they are invested in continually working to improve the educational experience of students.

  • Question

    How would you describe what happens during one of your most successful classes?

    Answer

    Whether online or seated, my most successful classes are the ones in which alchemy happens; this is generally during discussion times. We are all working together to dig deeper into the course content; to develop new ideas and new approaches to doing something.

  • Question

    What makes your curriculum interesting or valuable to students?

    Answer

    I am continually working to update my readings to reflect the current climate. I also work to include assigned readings (articles, essays, etc.) that are written by undergrads so that students can see their peer's writing in action.

  • Question

    How do you help students be successful in class?

    Answer

    If I notice a student hasn't been present or active or is struggling with a writing assignment, I reach out and ask how I can help them succeed in their goals. I keep in mind that the ultimate goal of my classes is to teach students to be better writers and thinkers and I ask myself continually, how can I help them achieve this?

  • Question

    Would you list some of your publications?

    Answer

    "On Teaching Students to Love Their Darlings", Whale Road Review (forthcoming, December 2021) 

    "On Continuing to Love and Support My Favorite Literary Journals That Have Rejected Me and Knowing When It's Time to Cancel", Brevity Magazine 

    "First Gear", from the anthology Love and Profanity: A Collection of True, Tortured, Wild, Hilarious, Concise, and Intense Tales of Teenage Life 

    "At Night, Cooking by the Garage", Switchback Magazine  

    "BIN LADEN IS DEAD", Blue Lake Review 

Fun Facts

  • Fun Fact #1

    I canoed the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca to the Iowa Border one summer. It took 30 days and definitely stretched me as a backwoods camper and canoeist!

  • Fun Fact #2

    I grew up out east (NC, NY, NJ, and PA) and came out to Minnesota to go to college. I loved living out here so much that I decided to make my home here.

  • Fun Fact #3

    I really enjoy traveling--some of my favorite places include Rome, Edinburgh, Paris, and Honolulu.

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