College of the Sequoias English professor, Andrea Hawkins, believes her students gain more than just grammar and structure in her classes. Hawkins says that one of the most important things students develop is their voice. “Students learn to develop their voice through essays:exploring their thoughts, beliefs, tone, and awareness of their audience,” Hawkins explained in a recent interview held at COS.

When asked about common mistakes, Hawkins pointed to a lack of confidence and an over-reliance on resources. “Students often lack confidence and use artificial language. They sometimes depend too much on fancy language instead of experimenting with their own style,” she noted.

Hawkins also highlighted the importance of including diverse texts in the curriculum. Diversity is crucial. Students benefit most from being open to multiple perspectives and paying attention rather than ignoring them.

Outside the classroom, Hawkins is an avid reader with diverse tastes. She enjoys fantasy, dragon stories by J Gabriel and mysteries novels.

Ultimately, Hawkins hopes her students realize that “writing doesn’t take away your sense of self; it helps you discover who you are through creative expression.”