After 38 years of teaching, English professor Brigitte Bailey announced that she will retire at the end of this academic year. Bailey began her teaching career as a graduate student before joining the University of New Hampshire faculty in fall 1987. Over the years, she observed significant shifts in the teaching of English, particularly with the advent of the modern digital age. The ease of revision and the growing influence of artificial intelligence have emerged as key factors in how the writing process is taught. Bailey emphasized that writing is fundamentally a process of learning—an active, engaged practice that reflects thought.
She asserted that classroom discussion and student engagement have remained consistent over time. However, she also acknowledged a continuity at the core of writing. “We’re still talking about words either on the page or on the screen,” said Bailey. Ultimately, she believes that for English instruction to remain relevant, it must thoughtfully integrate technology.
Professor Bailey shared that some of her most meaningful memories at the University of New Hampshire come from moments when her classes truly connected. Reflecting on these experiences, she said, “You know the conversation is good when you leave the class with more energy than you had when you walked in.”
Whether teaching a graduate seminar or an introductory course, she found equal joy and fulfillment in moments of genuine intellectual engagement. More specifically, she felt she truly made a difference when helping students prepare for their honors thesis or the undergraduate research conference.
“Teaching is that annual rhythm,” Bailey reflected. She noted that guiding students through the academic journey each year is among her greatest accomplishments. Her students remain at the heart of her work, serving both her central focus and highest priority throughout her career.
Bailey said she is at peace with leaving grading behind. While she has always found joy in reading her students’ work and hearing their unique perspectives, she acknowledged the challenge inherent in evaluating writing. Effective assessment, she noted, requires the ability to empathize with each student, understanding their effort and viewpoint while maintaining academic standards.
Bailey views the digital era as a transformative force that has greatly enhanced academic freedom in teaching. She highlighted how advancements in technology have significantly improved access to materials, texts and books for both educators and students. With the rise of the post-digital age, previously obscure or historically sentimental literary works have become more readily available, offering students new opportunities to engage with and interpret literature from the past.
Bailey acknowledged the challenges of fostering active participation and meaningful discussion in the classroom. Her academic focus—literature from the 17th, 18th, and 19th into the 20th century—can be particularly demanding for students to engage with. However, over the course of her career, she has developed effective strategies to encourage students not only to complete their readings but also to thoughtfully contribute their perspectives.
Post-retirement, Bailey and her partner are planning a walking tour of the Dolomites, a stunning mountain range in northeastern Italy. She looks forward to traveling in September, enjoying a time outside the typical summer rush. In addition to travel, Bailey will continue pursuing her scholarly interests in 19th-century literature, particularly through research on periodicals such as newspapers and magazines from that era, now available in digital form. Her fascination with how periodical writers captured emerging ideas and cultural shifts remains a driving force in her work.
Bailey concluded that retirement felt like a natural next step as she approached the age of 70. She looks forward to dedicating more time to her partner and to supporting her daughter's growing family. “It just felt like time,” she reflected.
