If you take a walk through the halls of the third level in Warner Hall, you will find the small office of Justin Ponder.  Ponder was a new addition to UW-Platteville’s faculty at the beginning of the 2009 school year.

Photograph by Jodi Krautkramer


Justin Ponder, a Milwaukee native, said English has always been his favorite subject in school, and the power of language is what inspired him to pursue a career in teaching the subject.

Ponder, a Milwaukee native, teaches multiple courses in the English department, some of which include freshman composition, introduction to ethnic studies, minority women writers and black literature in America.  Ponder says English has always been his favorite subject in school and the power of language is what inspired him to pursue a career in teaching the subject.

“I first became interested in becoming an English teacher when I discovered the power of language,” Ponder said. “At my high school, students would end each year by passing around underground newspapers full of mean-spirited diatribes and personal attacks.  One year, I wrote my own in which I urged greater civility.  Students, teachers and administrators responded well to it, and from that moment. on I knew that language had the power to change people.”

Ponder earned his degree at UW-Milwaukee but says he enjoys the transition he made to the UW-P campus.

“My favorite part about being a faculty member at UW-P is the students,” Ponder said. “I have found them hardworking and insightful.  They have taught me a lot.” He also adds that he has had quite a few memories during his teaching experiences.

“My funniest teacher moment occurred during my introduction to horror film class watching frightened students shriek,” Ponder said.

English has always been a great part of Professor Ponder’s life.  Reading and writing have always been two of his most enjoyed hobbies.

“My favorite book as a child was ‘Go, Dogs, Go’ by Dr. Seuss,” Ponder said. “Now, I’m really loving J.M. Coetzee’s ‘Waiting for the Barbarians.’”

In addition to Ponder’s passion for reading and writing, he also enjoys watching movies and spending time with his family.