MIKE MATTHEWS
Portrait of a Volunteer
In this feature, Mike Matthews shares his views on volunteerism at NCTE (principally through TYCA and CCCC) and how it has enriched his professional career.
Mike currrently serves as chair of the Humanities Division at Tarrant County College (Northwest Campus) in Fort Worth, Texas. He is a planner for annual humanities workshops for the North Texas Community College Corsortium; has published in TETYC, English in Texas, Computers and College Writing: Selected College Profiles; is a frequent presenter; and, is a recipient of various awards recognizing outstanding teaching and service.
What motivated you to volunteer for NCTE service?
As an English teacher, I have always thought that being a member of NCTE was important professionally, but membership is not enough. Involvement in the organization is necessary to show commitment to one’s discipline and interest in becoming a better teacher.
What has kept you interested in volunteering your time over the years?
My colleagues from across the country have encouraged me and kept me interested in volunteering. When you work with NCTE members, you work with the very best teachers in the field.
What does your current role entail?
I have finished chairing NCTE’s College Forum, and for the current year I will serve on Two-Year College English Association committees: the Public Image of the Two-Year College and the Web Committee.
What key roles have you played and what did you find most satisfying in carrying them out?
I have focused on two-year colleges within NCTE because I am a two-year college teacher and administrator. My most satisfying jobs were chairing the Southwest Region’s Two-year College English Association, which involved recruiting conference hosts from across our six-state region, and serving as the National TYCA representative to the College Forum of NCTE.
What satisfactions do you derive from volunteering?
As a volunteer, you get to work for and with the leading educators, writers, and researchers in English. Members of NCTE are the best people in our field.
Why would you recommend volunteering to another NCTE member?
Volunteering is an important way to contribute to your discipline, to share your ideas and expertise as well as to learn from others.
How or has your affiliation with NCTE improved your professional development and career?
As both a presenter and attendee at conferences, I have learned new content and techniques for instruction and developed confidence in my teaching because what I am doing is modeled after the very best examples at NCTE and CCCC.
Do you have a favorite NCTE publication?
I like all the NCTE publications, but my favorite journal is Teaching English in the Two-Year College because I have been a contributor, reviewer, and avid reader of its contents.
What is the one book, article, or professional development experience you would recommend to other educators?
I would recommend any book by Peter Elbow, such as Writing Without Teachers, and I would attend any session where he presents at CCCC or NCTE because he is one of America’s top writing teachers.
How has being part of an educational community like NCTE improved your abilities as a teacher and as a leader?
By being a member, I have attended sessions where I have picked up new ideas and improved my best ideas for teaching. In the roles that I have observed and played, leadership has become a natural contribution for me to make to NCTE.
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