Wednesday, November 2, 2005
PRCC Teacher Wins Humanities Teacher of the Year

     The Mississippi Humanities Council recently selected Pearl River
Community College Spanish instructor Robin Nix as Humanities Teacher of
the Year. Upon acceptance of the honors, Nix will give a presentation
entitled “Una Vista de Espana (A view of Spain)” on November 15 at 11:10
a.m. at the Poplarville campus in the nursing building's tiered
classroom. The presentation is free and open to the public.
     Nix's presentation will emphasize the four weeks she spent this summer
at Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Nix completed an intense course in
advanced Spanish grammar at the University, which has approximately
150,000 students, and was required to take written and spoken exams. Nix
was immersed in the Spanish language and culture while living in the
university's dorm, eating in the school cafeteria, and touring the
countryside.
     Nix, who has taught Spanish and English at PRCC since 2002, believes it
is important for students to study a foreign language. “Learning the
languages of other cultures teaches historical links to modern-day
events, and we become better neighbors if we can understand other
languages,” said Nix. “Also, we should learn just for the sake of
learning.”
     According to Martha Willoughby, Chair of the PRCC Humanities Department,
Nix is an ideal choice for the award. “Robin was selected as the
recipient of the award because of her continued pursuit of scholarly
activities in Mexico and Spain. Also, Robin has established a popular
Spanish program at PRCC, and she has had a positive influence on a huge
number of students.”
     Student Robert Jackson, a 67-year-old retired New Orleans police
officer, is currently taking beginning Spanish with Nix. “My daughter is
a Spanish teacher, and after I came back from a mission trip to Mexico I
wanted to learn to speak Spanish. Ms. Nix is an excellent teacher. It's
especially difficult for me to learn another language since I'm older,
but she gives good, clear instructions. She practically handles each
student on an individual basis because she is always makes herself
available in her office.”
     According to Dr. Martha Lou Byrd, PRCC institutional research specialist
and former developmental reading teacher, Nix is a perfect choice for
the award. “As a person, Robin is energetic and always carries a
welcoming smile,” said Byrd. “She is kind-hearted and willing to listen
whenever someone appears at her door. As an instructor, she carries that
energy into the classroom where she makes learning fun. Learning a
second language is an intimidating experience, and Robin has the ability
to bring calm to frightened students. I have great respect for her both
as an individual and as a professional.”
     The Mississippi Humanities Council supports activities that help all
citizens understand themselves and others by furthering their knowledge
of history, literature, philosophy, and other disciplines concerned with
human values and experiences. The Mississippi Humanities Council works
in conjunction with other local and statewide organizations and
institutions, such as museums, libraries, historical societies, schools,
colleges, and universities, to increase their effectiveness and enrich
the lives of the people they serve.
     Nix has a Bachelor's in international studies, a Master's in teaching
languages, and a Masters in British Literature, all from the University
of Southern Mississippi. Her parents are George and Jan Burge of
Poplarville, and she is married to PRCC English instructor Bill Nix with
two daughters, Phoebe, six, and Penelope, five.
For more information about Nix's presentation phone 601-403-1226.