Mattei, Edamarie

Name: Edamarie Mattei
Education: Cinnaminson High School (Cinnaminson, NJ), Georgetown University, University of Pennsylvania
Previous Jobs: English Teacher in the Bronx, NY and San Mateo, CA
Came to Blair in: 2004-2005
Hobbies: Reading, gardening, tennis

Edamarie Mattei has always enjoyed reading and literature. Now, in her first year of teaching English at Blair, she has an opportunity to share this passion with her students.

Mattei attended Cinnaminson High School in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. "I was a pretty active, strong student," says Mattei. Throughout her four years of high school, Mattei participated in yearbook, swimming and field hockey, and she also was in student government for a short period of time.

After high school, Mattei moved to Washington, D.C., to attend Georgetown University. "I was really excited about living in the city on my own," she says. During her college experience, Mattei tried to be involved in as many activities as possible. "I experimented with like, 5,000 different things I could do, and I had about five different majors," says Mattei. Since she was interested in language, she started college as a Chinese major. In addition, she lived in France during her junior year.

Originally, Mattei did not plan to become a teacher. When she was younger, she thought she would become an astronaut. Nevertheless, Mattei always believed in the importance of education. "Education is what builds a strong democracy," she explains. Her love of literature and the power of language inspired her to teach English. "With language you can gain power, and it's important for kids to know that power," says Mattei.

Mattei believes that the most influential people in her life are her parents. She remembers that they were always very supportive of her. "They taught me to be a learner," she says. Her father also told her that it is important to "keep pushing forward and keep growing." It was this mindset that also encouraged Mattei to teach.

Before coming to Blair, Mattei held many other teaching jobs. During her first year, she taught in the Bronx, New York. Next, she moved to San Mateo, California and taught at Hillside High School. She then entered graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania and worked as a teaching assistant. Before coming to Blair, Mattei taught at Philadelphia Community College.

One of Mattei's most memorable teaching moments occurred while she was in the Bronx. Mattei had a close relationship with a homeless student. During a gift exchange during the holidays, the student went with her boyfriend to shop on Fordham Road. She saw something she wanted, and her boyfriend bought it for her. The next day she came to school and gave it away. "I was always impressed by the capacity to share with others and trying to make things better for someone else," says Mattei.

In her spare time, Mattei enjoys reading, playing tennis, and gardening. She is also learning to knit and play classical guitar. In addition, Mattei has three children who keep her busy.

Mattei is thoroughly enjoying teaching at Blair. "Blair feels like the whole country, and there are all kinds of people doing different things," says Mattei. Blair reminds her of all the urban places in which she has lived.