Meet the Professor: Jayne Reino Jayne Reino is a visiting assistant professor of Spanish at Washington and Lee University.

By Connie Okeke '23
November 15, 2021

Jayne Reino, a visiting professor of Spanish, joined Washington and Lee University in fall 2020. She earned a master’s degree in U.S. Latino literature and culture and a doctorate in Latin American literature and culture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Reino taught in an academic immersion program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her work there focused on incorporating a social justice perspective with opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and community-based learning.

Professor Reino is currently co-authoring an article for the Michigan Journal of Service Learning with Sascha Goluboff, the faculty director of CBL She also works as a faculty co-advisor to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) here at W&L and she invites everyone to join them. (“Shameless plug: Join ESOL!”)

Q: What first attracted you to Washington and Lee University?

Well, that would be my partner, now wife, Melissa Vise. She was offered a tenure-track position in history.

Q: What are you teaching this fall?

I am currently teaching “Introduction to Spanish,” SPAN 111 and “Intermediate Spanish,” SPAN 161.

Q: What are your research interests?

My primary area of interest is researching how marginalized persons and communities subvert hegemonic discourses through cultural production (primarily literary texts). I am also interested in social justice education and am currently working toward a second master’s degree in this area, which I hope to integrate with my work in the Office of Community-Based Learning.

Q: Aside from teaching, what’s something that you’re passionate about? What do you do for fun?

Top on my list are gardening, chickens, our two Siamese cats (Fenix and Mo-mo Bear). I am also anxious to learn how to fish and go paddle boarding with the Outing Club. I love dancing, too, and had a blast at the LSO Baile! I also enjoy exploring new places in Southwest Virginia with my wife. We love finding new Latinx restaurants and food stores to try.

Q: What is your favorite movie or book? Why?

Oh gosh, I wouldn’t even know where to begin. Recently, a film that comes to mind is “Nomadland” because it is beautifully filmed and poignantly portrays the female protagonist’s struggle on the fringes of our post-industrial economy.

Q: As a student, what was the best piece of advice you were given?

I was a D1 field hockey player, and I clearly remember the day our strength coach told me: “You can’t just work on the things that are easy for you. You also have to focus on those that are difficult for you.” I think this was a paradigm shift for me, and I frequently remind myself of his words. As a professor, I will say that there are some students who really struggle with concepts/skills in the beginning but remain committed and slowly improve over time. Working with these students is the most gratifying part of teaching for me.

Q: Share a fun fact about yourself.

I taught my cat to walk on a leash when he was a kitten. He loves to go on long walks in the yard, especially in the fall.

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