Nadine's senior portrait from Greens Farms Academy, 1982
As the daughter of Haitian immigrants, including GFA former faculty member Claudette Pinede, Nadine Pinede has achieved remarkable milestones, from earning a doctorate in the philosophy of education to becoming the first Rhodes Scholar of Haitian descent. Her debut young adult novel, When the Mapou Sings, will be published in December.
Set in 1930s Haiti, When the Mapou Sings tells the story of a precocious heroine, 16-year-old Lucille, who risks her life to find her missing best friend. Lucille’s mission to uncover the truth leads her to an American writer doing fieldwork in Haiti while writing a book–Their Eyes Were Watching God. Intrigued by her great-grandmother’s stories as well as real-life events, Nadine explains how she sourced inspiration for her first book. “Zora Neale Hurston praised a domestic worker of hers in her book, Tell My Horse. I imagine this is Lucille, whose own story slipped through history’s net.”
Nadine’s strong cultural roots can be traced to her upbringing; her parents instilled in their children a sense of pride in their Haitian heritage. As a busy math and science teacher, Claudette always made time to share enthralling stories of Haitian history and family lore with Nadine and her brother, Ed (GFA class of 1983).
Baby Nadine with her mother and GFA teacher Claudette
The siblings initially attended a local public school, where Nadine faced bullying and harassment. Recognizing the situation, Claudette sought a teaching position at a private school, which would allow Nadine and Ed to attend on scholarship. That school would be Greens Farms Academy–a place where all three Pinedes would find a sense of belonging.
Nadine and her junior classmates, 1981
For Nadine, GFA was a transformative experience. The small classes, talented teachers, engaged students, and prime location created an enormous feeling of optimism that her previous school lacked. “GFA had a magical quality,” she recalls. She never took her mother’s classes, but she praises the teachers she did have. "Mr. Coyle was a great human being and teacher. There aren’t enough positive things I can say about him. His European History class was inspiring. He made me fall in love with history, and I was awarded the history prize at graduation. He was a real leader and made us all feel we were in an equal community together and were there to help each other. GFA was not as diverse back then, but I never experienced exclusion or racism. Mr. Coyle’s ethos and spirit guided the school, and I am grateful to have attended GFA when he was Headmaster."
Nadine also credits long-time English teacher, OJ Burns, for igniting her passion for literature. She recalls, "Mr. Burns made me fall in love with reading, writing, and poetry. He inspired me to read and write more and more. He had us keep poetry journals and made me believe that writing was truly a possibility. When you have a teacher encouraging you the way he did, you can take that and run with it.” And run she did; Nadine was honored with the Scholastic Gold Key Award for poetry at commencement in 1982.
Nadine and the staff of the literary magazine
The Pinede legacy at GFA extends beyond Claudette, Nadine, and Ed, as Ed’s daughter, Lizzie, graduated from GFA in 2012 and is now teaching in Washington, D.C.—continuing the family tradition of valuing education and giving back.
After GFA, Nadine continued her education at Harvard, where she created her own major. It was at Harvard that a tutor recognized her talent and encouraged her to apply for a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford. Nadine became the first person of Haitian descent to receive the prestigious accolade, a testament to her dedication and the values instilled by her parents. "As a first-generation American, I was taught to put a premium on education and strive for excellence. My parents always encouraged me to learn in the best environment possible.”
When asked about her proudest accomplishments, Nadine reflects on both her personal and professional life. "I am very proud of the friends and family I have and feel very fortunate," she affirms. On the professional front, she takes great pride in the publication of When the Mapou Sings. “I am proud that I finished my novel while dealing with the grief of losing my mother and extreme chronic pain from fibromyalgia. I overcame barriers, working through physical challenges, grief, and depression. And I learned self-compassion along the way.”
What advice would Nadine dispense to today’s GFA students and young alumni? Consider the journey. "Focus on the process, rather than being attached to an image or outcome,” she offers. “Enjoy the act of learning, creating, or whatever you are doing. Invite yourself to experience flow, one of the best feelings there is. Be open to yourself, others, and the natural world." She also emphasizes the importance of seeking help when needed, particularly regarding mental health. “Read a poem a day and take a walk in the woods,” she encourages, “take time to connect to the natural world in some way.”
Nadine in New Harmony, Indiana
Nadine and her husband, Erick Janssen, live abroad in Belgium. This fall, she is excited to share her journey of writing through difficult times at a Highlights Magazine conference while catching up with family, friends, and former GFA faculty. In particular, she is looking forward to staying with GFA alum and close friend, Abby Sesselberg ’82, a former librarian, who, according to Nadine, played a vital part in the novel’s journey. She will also be working with Sarah Banks ’82, another GFA Alum and friend. Sarah will be writing the guide to help teachers lead classroom discussions on the book to help share more of Haiti’s untold story.
Nadine’s path from GFA to becoming a celebrated author is a powerful testament to the impact of community, education, passion, and resilience. And, of course, to her Dragon determination.
You can learn more about Nadine Pinede, her work, and her scholarship for Haitian girls in science and math that she established in memory of Claudette Pinede, by visiting her website.