For 8th grade English teacher, Ms. Niad, teaching English isn’t just about grammar and punctuation, but teaching her students to lead with kindness and express themselves through their work. The Eagle Gazette had the opportunity to interview Ms. Niad about her passion for English and the lasting impact she has on all of her students.
Ms. Niad’s love for English began in high school when her former teacher helped her discover the amazing qualities the subject has. She says, “My high school English teacher, Mrs. Suchy, inspired me to become an English teacher. She was so passionate, quirky, and enthusiastic that you couldn’t help but love her class. She made literature come alive and pushed me to my full potential. I’ve always loved inspiring kids, and I wanted to do for my students what she did for me: make them feel seen, capable, and excited to learn.” One of her main goals is to make her class feel exciting and engaging for her students. Ms. Niad has been teaching at NBP for 11 years and she explains, “ …it feels like home. The people here, students, families, and colleagues, have become my community and my second family. I couldn’t imagine teaching anywhere else.” Her commitment to student growth shapes the way that she structures her classroom and teaches everyday.
Ms. Niad offers advice to students considering a future career in English or writing. She encourages her students to, “Read everything: books, poems, song lyrics, even cereal boxes. Great writing comes from curiosity and paying attention to the world… The best writers aren’t the ones who get it perfect the first time; they’re the ones who keep showing up. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to use your voice. Words have power, so use yours to make people think, feel, and maybe even change the world a little.” Her guidance truly impacts the lives of students everyday as she encourages them to always chase their dreams.
With her experience and dedication, Ms. Niad has been able to become the teacher for her students that once inspired her own passion for English. She hopes that her students remember, “kindness always matters and that you’ll never regret being kind. I also hope they leave my class knowing how to find their voice, think deeply, and express themselves clearly. And of course, I hope they never forget how to annotate and write a solid paper!” She continues to empower each student she teaches by going above and beyond to help them inside and outside of her classroom. With every lesson, she leaves a lasting impression and motivates her students to approach the world with curiosity, kindness, and confidence.
