Areas of Expertise

Pietera specializes in first year writing, English as a second/foreign language (ESL/EFL) writing, and contemplative/mindfulness pedagogy.

Teaching Interests

Pietera teaches academic writing to students with various English language experiences, and she encourages students to embrace the resources their linguistic backgrounds can bring to their writing. Her teaching approach focuses on the writing process, with particular attention to recursive revision and metacognitive reflection. Through her teaching, she facilitates an environment where students are able to be mindful of their experiences with academic writing and enjoy the writing process by feeling connected to their writing and optimistic about their writing studies.

Research

Pietera investigates the intersections of rhetoric and composition, linguistics, and mindfulness pedagogy through qualitative empirical research. Her research explores multilingual international students’ experiences with mindfulness in first year writing and advocates for linguistic diversity and justice. She is also interested in writing assessment and placement, and she contributed to collaborative research investigating the quantitative and qualitative results of a piloted student self-placement program.

Education

PhD in Writing and Rhetoric Studies, University of Utah (2024)
MA in Rhetoric and Writing Studies, San Diego State University (2017)
TESL/TEFL Certificate, American Language Institute—San Diego State University (2017)
BA in English and Creative Writing, Brigham Young University—Idaho (2014)

Previous Appointments

• Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Writing and Rhetoric Studies, University of Utah (2019-2024)
• Adjunct Instructor, Honors College, Westminster University (2020-2023)
• Adjunct Instructor, Master of Education Program, Westminster University (2022)
• Lecturer, Department of Linguistics, San Diego State University—Georgia (2017-2019)
• Graduate Teaching Associate, Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies, San Diego State University (2016-2017)
• Adjunct Instructor, Department of English, Brigham Young University—Pathway Worldwide (2015)

Professional Associations

• Rhetoric Society of America (RSA)
• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
• Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC)