BYU-Hawaii Instructor Megan Naihe reflects on the transformative power of keeping literature at the heart of her life
Everyone contains a multitude of stories, and no matter how small they may seem, they can impact someone’s life in unimaginable ways, said Megan Naihe, an adjunct instructor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters. She said her bond with literature had transformed her life into a spectacular journey. One takeaway she hopes her students will remember from her class is to always know their stories matter. “Tell your story. You are the only one who can tell yours. Keep writing,” she urged them.
A life dedicated to literacy
Naihe shared she found herself in various places throughout her life, but wherever she went— from Northern California to Oahu, to Utah and back to Oahu— she always carried her love for words with her.
She said she studied English literature in college and has always been drawn to the power of storytelling. “Writing has been a constant passion of mine, and I naturally gravitate toward narratives—both my own and those of others,” she expressed. Stories encapsulate the uniqueness of human experiences, and she finds endless inspiration in dissecting and exploring their layers, she explained.
“Literature is my safe space—a place where I can both challenge myself and find comfort in the pages of a good book,” she voiced. She said apart from the opportunity for deep analysis and research for broader implications, the most rewarding part is discussing it with others. “It’s a blessing to hear perspectives I never would have considered on my own,” she shared.
She also said it is fascinating how literature intersects with every discipline. “It can connect to anthropology, history, science, religion and even mathematics in some way,” she explained. Literature’s reach is limitless, making it an endlessly rich field of study, she said.
However, Naihe said she used to see teaching as an entirely separate and daunting task. She recounted her first teaching experience at BYUH as a fresh graduate and remembered getting so shaken by it that she had to step away from the profession for as long as 10 years. “I did not like teaching at all because I have never been comfortable in front of people,” she shared.
She said she put her career as a reading and writing instructor aside for a while but not her connection with what she is teaching. “During that time, I worked for a nonprofit, writing grants and operating a bookmobile,” she shared. She said she was a grant writer for years for a nonprofit called Hawaiian Literacy, raising funds for the converted handyman van she drove to deliver books around the island.
“Eventually, after having my fourth child, I was given the chance to return to teaching here,” she shared. She said one of her former professors encouraged her to come back, and although she was initially nervous to step back into the classroom, she fell in love with it the second time around. “It was the students who changed everything for me. They are, without a doubt, the best part of this experience,” she expressed.
She said she learns so much more from them than she could ever hope to teach, and she considers it a privilege to be surrounded by global talents, united by faith and pursuit of knowledge. “This university is truly a special place,” she stressed. She said she has been teaching English consistently at a university level since 2013.
Where words take root: Touching students’ lives
Beyond personal expression, writing gives power to people’s voices, a means to teach and learn from one another and a way to connect on a deeper level, Naihe shared. She said the greatest joy of teaching about reading and writing is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives. “But I often find my students have an even greater impact on me. Every day, I come home and share with my husband how much I learned from them,” she expressed. She said she considers it the most rewarding part of her career.
She shared one of her former students from when she first started teaching at BYUH in 2013 recently reconnected with her to tell her about the publication of his first book. The student is from Mexico, and it has been an incredible experience for her to see him grow because he had a natural talent for writing, she explained. “It was such a surreal moment to hear about his success because, as a teacher, you don’t always get to hear these stories,” she shared. She said her former student made a point to tell her that her encouragement and belief in him played a significant role in his journey. “I couldn’t be prouder. One of the best parts of teaching is seeing students surpass your own skills, pursue their dreams and truly believe in themselves,” she expressed. She said it will always be her goal to help her students see themselves the way she does.
The wonderful influence of writing extends beyond just one life, and that is fascinating, Naihe reflected. She said another former student who is now a mother shared how Naihe’s class inspired her to start journaling, and she describing it as a transformative experience. “She explained writing has reshaped the way she approaches parenting, allowing her to reflect on each day, learn from her experiences and strive to be better the next,” Naihe shared. She said writing is truly a powerful tool for self-assessment and growth.
Desire as the single prerequisite
Among other things, Naihe said students struggle with having the desire to read and write, making them dislike the subject. “That’s why, during the first few weeks of class, I focus on helping them discover the value of reading and writing in their own lives,” she shared. Once they recognize the significance, they are more inclined to practice and integrate both activities into their daily routines, she explained.
She said she considers desire as the most crucial skill an aspiring writer must develop. “With a strong desire, a writer can cultivate and refine any other necessary skill—whether it’s mastering grammar, developing a unique voice or learning the nuances of storytelling,” she explained. She said passion is the driving force that fuels persistence, creativity and the willingness to improve, and without this internal motivation, technical proficiency alone will fall short. She stressed desire as the foundation upon which other writing skills are built.
In addition, she said she prioritizes encouraging her students because she witnessed how self-doubt can plague their desire to engage in anything. “They need to hear they are capable, their skills can improve and most importantly, their voices and perspectives hold immense value,” she emphasized.
More than just publishing books
Naihe said she thinks it is a common misconception among people that being a writer means becoming a published author. “Writing is a fundamental skill that extends far beyond the realm of books and novels,” she explained. She said a love for writing is not defined by authorship alone as it can take different forms, each offering unique opportunities for creativity, influence and growth.
Writing is crucial in any profession, she emphasized. “No matter what job you have, you’ll always need to communicate, whether through emails, reports or even text messages,” she said. Nearly every industry looks for individuals who can communicate ideas clearly and persuasively, from journalism and marketing to law, education and corporate communications, she explained.
“Beyond that, the most profound thing is its ability to deepen our understanding of others and cultivate empathy—something that feels increasingly rare in today’s world,” she added. She said literature gives people the opportunity to learn to step into someone else’s shoes and to see the world from a different perspective, and in doing so, it expands their capacity for compassion. “Reading isn’t just good for the mind. It’s good for the heart. It challenges us to see the world through different lenses, making us not only better thinkers but also better people,” she said.