SPRINGFIELD – The North end’s Gray House has recently welcomed their new Education Director, J. Aisha Matthews. As Education Director, Matthews, who is originally from Worcester, is responsible for running the Adult Education programs at The Gray House as well as overseeing the Kids’ Club afterschool and summer program.

Matthews is fully bilingual, speaking English and Spanish fluently, and has 20 years of experience specializing in English for speakers of other languages and multicultural environments with communication challenges. She lived in Ecuador for 12 years, and holds an Advanced Certificate in Teaching English as a second or foreign language from Seattle University, nine M.Ed. credits in Bilingual Teacher Training from the University of Colorado, as well as a B.A. in Classics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Reminder Publishing conducted a question–and–answer interview with Matthews to get to know her background and how she wound up in Springfield. The following is a lightly edited interview.

Reminder Publishing: What brought you to Western Massachusetts?

Matthews: “My parents, who are still in Worcester in the house where I grew up, are 88 and 90. I don’t have much more time with them, so I wanted to be closer to them, but did not want to live there. Also, I graduated in Classics at UMass Amherst and thought about Springfield as a place I could use my international abilities. Once I got here, I discovered how wonderful the people are and how much need there was for someone with my capabilities. Making Western Mass my new home has been the right decision.”

Reminder Publishing: How did you end up in Ecuador?

Matthews: “I had a personal tragedy and wanted to start my life over in another country in South America where I could be fluent in one of my languages. I started in Ecuador to learn Spanish, but ended up staying there for 12 years because of the wonderful people and geography.”

Reminder Publishing: How do you feel your former jobs have prepared you for your new position as Education Director?

Matthews: “I believe that I have been preparing for this position for my entire life. Because of that, I feel every position I have ever held–paid, volunteer, contract and even my own business–will be put to use in this new position as Education Director at The Gray House.”

When asked about specific goals she has in the works to help the Gray House achieve as she moves forward in her new role, Matthews provided her vision for the restructuring of their Adult Education program. The Adult Education program focuses on helping migrants, refugees and asylees improve their English language skills while incorporating life skills.

“The goal of the program is to help them gain self–sufficiency, better integrate into their community and give them the skills needed to break the cycle of poverty,” Matthews shared.

The Gray House gives students the opportunity to learn basic English language skills in a supportive environment. Through the program, they learn how to read, write, do math, handle finances and learn about health and digital skills.

Matthews’ restructured program offers three literacy levels that lead up to U.S. Citizenship Test preparation. Additionally, the program explains that teacher/tutor training is provided annually.

To learn more about The Gray House and their programs, go to grayhouse.org.