It is with great sadness that Texas Wesleyan University announces the passing of a most beloved educator, mentor, colleague and friend, Dr. Twyla Miranda, Ph.D. 

Miranda, professor of education, dedicated 28 years to teaching and serving others, and made a profound impact on all the lives she touched. She will be greatly missed and her spirit will carry on forever in our hearts.

Friends of Twyla and the Texas Wesleyan community are invited to join together with her family for a Celebration of Life from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, June 2, in Lou’s Place on the Texas Wesleyan campus.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Mission of Arlington, 210 W. South St., Arlington, 76010, in Twyla’s name.

The Spirit of Wesleyan

Dr. Miranda was a dedicated, respected and master teacher in the Texas Wesleyan School of Education for nearly 30 years. Last fall, she was awarded the Spirit of Wesleyan Award by the Texas Wesleyan Board of Trustees. During her tenure, she served with distinction as the Chair of the Department of Education, Director of Wesleyan’s Reading Program and Director of the Doctorate Program in Education.  She passionately taught graduate and undergraduate reading and education courses, with a dedicated focus on student success and improving the lives of youth through reading and education. She even spent a sabbatical serving as a full-time elementary teacher to keep in touch with the practice of teaching children. 

As a faculty member, Twyla was involved in many different educational activities on campus and in service to the community. She is remembered for her thoughtful and caring style of interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds. Her strong advocacy for literacy, children and a liberal arts education is recognized by all her colleagues, on-campus and within the community. 

Twyla was also a strong advocate for the importance of personal development in professional teaching practices. She encouraged students and faculty colleagues to examine and take seriously the ethical, personal and social issues that impinge on teaching and society. She helped prepare future and current teachers to see the classroom as a community of learners, where individuals and social consciousness are developed equally.  

Twyla’s love of teaching and her commitment to nurturing the human spirit of all people, especially her students, regardless of their particular background or age, made a remarkable impact on the lives she touched. She embodied the spirit of Texas Wesleyan and will be remembered and honored with fondness and pride for years to come. 

Counseling support

Support for students is available at the Texas Wesleyan Community Counseling Center, 817-531-4869, located at 3110 E. Rosedale. Support for employees is available through the Employee Assistance Program at 1-888-628-4824, where one-on-one counseling can be scheduled.

University Chaplin Gladys Childs is also available to speak with students, faculty and staff. She can be reached at 817-531-4296 or gchilds@txwes.edu.