Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Tinajero.
Hi Robert, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m from El Paso, TX. I moved to the Dallas area about ten years ago and am currently an English and Rhetoric professor at UNT-Dallas. I got my Ph.D. from UT-El Paso in 2010 and got a job at Tarrant County College (South Campus) in Ft. Forth. I taught there for about four years then took a job at Paul Quinn College where I taught and served as the head of the writing program. A few years ago, I was hired at UNT-Dallas and am currently the program coordinator for the writing program.
As a kid, I never wanted to be a teacher but clearly, I was indirectly influenced by my mom who is an education professor. After graduate school, I tried teaching high school but that just wasn’t for me. I decided at that point that I wanted to get my Ph.D. and be a university professor.
I love my job because I love interacting with students, teaching, reading, and writing. I think being a professor is one of the greatest jobs and I’m truly grateful that I get to live the life I do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve been very fortunate to not have to struggle much in my life. I didn’t grow up with much money but my parents always worked hard and gave us what we needed. I always felt loved and supported.
But, I’ve certainly had some small struggles and challenges. Working on my Ph.D. took a lot of time and dedication and was quite stressful at times. It’s also not always easy being away from my mom, siblings, and extended family in El Paso. I also had to deal with a torn ACL and surgery a few years back. The two biggest challenges have been the end of a long relationship I was in and, four years ago, the death of my father. Both of those affected me and were not easy to deal with.
But I don’t like to focus on these small struggles. I have a blessed life. I have a happy marriage, great kids, a job I love, and wonderful friends and family.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Besides being a full-time professor, I also have some creative projects. I have published two books of poetry, the latest which is titled Love Revolution. You can find it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. I also have a podcast called Word, Words, Words, which is available on all major platforms. The podcast focuses on issues of language and communication. Finally, I’m somewhat active on TikTok, usually giving advice to college students on writing or persisting with their dreams. My TikTok is @rtinajer7.
Besides that, I love playing sports. I’m in a weekend basketball league and a tennis league. I also like to golf whenever I have some extra time.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is completing small and large tasks that you have set up for yourself. This might mean starting a business, or losing 10 pounds, or starting a podcast, or jogging 5 miles.
But mostly, success is being happy and content with yourself. Meditation, mindfulness, and prayer can help us live in the moment and appreciate life. If we can do that on a regular basis, I would call that success.
Pricing:
- $13 for my poetry book Love Revolution
Contact Info:
- Email: robert.tinajero@untdallas.edu
- Website: www.blueletters.com
- Twitter: @rtinajer7
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/words-words-words-a-podcast-by-robert-tinajero/id1450675329, TikTok: @rtinajer7
Anchor Podcast: https://anchor.fm/robert583
