Megan Naihe, an English instructor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, shared her thoughts and experiences in a profile released on May 4. Naihe has worked as adjunct faculty since 2013 and again from 2021 to the present.
Naihe said she chose to teach at BYU–Hawaii because she loves the school and feels fortunate to be part of its community. “I LOVE THIS SCHOOL! Honestly, I absolutely love my job and consider myself lucky every day I get to teach here. It is the best job in the entire world because this campus is so special,” she said.
Reflecting on her favorite aspect of teaching, Naihe highlighted the diverse student body: “My favorite thing about teaching is THE STUDENTS! I love the students at BYU–Hawaii. There is nowhere else in the world where you can be in a classroom with students from all around the globe—Fiji, Tonga, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, New Zealand, Alaska, and more—who are also united by a shared belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It makes this campus incredibly special and a joy to be part of every day.”
Naihe emphasized that community support stands out at BYU–Hawaii and Koʻolauloa: “They are always willing to help, support, and lift one another.” She described how this was evident during recent flooding when everyone helped each other regardless of personal loss.
Sharing advice for new teachers facing fears or challenges stepping into their roles for the first time, Naihe recounted guidance from her mother: “There is no growth in the comfort zone, and there is no comfort in the growth zone. If you want to grow you’ll take this job.” This advice encouraged her to pursue teaching despite initial hesitation.
Naihe’s most cherished memory at BYU–Hawaii was meeting her husband Keliʻi while attending as a student herself; both have chosen to remain active members of their local community after graduation. She encourages incoming students to fully engage with their education by attending classes regularly and exploring Hawaiian culture.
