Santa Clara resident, Edie Matthews, was honored as Outstanding Adjunct Faculty for 2008 at Mission College.  This award is voted on by the student body.

 

She has been teaching English at the college since 2004.  She graduated from San Jose State University with a MFA in Creative Writing.

 

Matthews said that she tries to make the classes informative and entertaining.  "I always ask for an Multi-media classroom because I incorporate videos and the internet in many of my lesson plans."

           

Matthews said she loves teaching and inspiring students, especially the ones that need a little encouragement. "I didn't start out to be an English teacher," said Matthews.  "I went back to school to improve my writing because I'm working on a novel. But I found that I really enjoy teaching."

 

She is a long time member of California Writers Club and is Co-Director of the East of Eden Writing Conference, which takes place this year Sept 5-7, in "Steinbeck Country" Salinas. "That's the club's big event and only happens every two years because it's a mountain of work!"

 

This year the conference will feature 12 agents, two from New York, three publishers, and 25 writing workshops. Keynote speakers include Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley. For more information: www.southbaywriters.com