STEVE MATSON
US English, Journalism, Yearbook, Newspaper Advisor, Since 1988
I love the combination of teaching literature, academic writing, journalistic writing, graphic design and photojournalism.  My first love will always be examining with students the great works in the literary canon.  As Harold Bloom has put it, reading deeply ‘is to augment one’s own growing inner self’ and the ultimate benefit of such thought and study is simply ‘the proper use of one’s solitude, that solitude whose final form is one’s confrontation with one’s own morality.’ This characterization of literary study appeals to me because – in addition to the practical benefits of clear thinking, effective expression, and refined journalism – it reaches beyond our school years to express the lifelong value of reading and writing.

I also love advising the student news magazine, The Academy Times, and yearbook, Crossings.  In addition to enhancing writing skills, when students work on a journalistic publication they begin to think and work collaboratively and in an interdisciplinary way.  They become the students in the school who have the cutting-edge knowledge of how to incorporate technology into their intellectual efforts.  Student-based journalism staffs give students marvelous opportunities for developing leadership and teamwork skills.