Janine “Nina” Sobers received her PhD in English Literature at the University of Washington and her BA in Literatures in English at UC San Diego. She specializes in hemispheric American and transpacific literature of the early to mid-twentieth century, but enjoys teaching broadly across world literature, American literature, and Asian American literature. Prior to coming to the Transition School, she was an instructor at UW’s Department of English for nine years, teaching courses in literary studies and interdisciplinary writing. Other relevant experiences as an educator and mentor include work for the Robinson Center’s Summer Programs and the University of California’s Early Academic Outreach Program. Her pedagogy centers on supporting the development of critically conscious individuals who can think and communicate both globally and locally. Her best hope for her students is that they grow to always show respect to what is foreign to them, and never feel fear towards it. An American-born Chinese, she takes pride in her family roots in Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley, but considers herself just as lucky to be here in Seattle.