english SA

Dear All, 

           My name is Sheyene Heller--you can call me Sheyene--and as you already know, I'm your lead instructor for this course. 

           First, allow me to describe my professional background: 

           I have a Master's (M.A.) in English from Kansas State University, where I took my first writing classes and taught my

first composition courses. In August 2003, I also finished up my Master's of Fine Arts (M.F.A) in Creative Nonfiction Writing

through Goucher College's low-residency program in Baltimore. For the past 18 years, I've been doing freelance technical,

business, and professional writing. I've also been teaching a variety of classes during this time--Composition I and II,

Literature, Creative Writing, Technical Writing, Business English, Fundamentals of Grammar, Philosophy, Reading, etc. I had

taught both online and on the Barton County Community College's Fort Riley campus, in Fort Riley, Kansas for two years, and I

enjoyed it immensely. However, in May 2003, my husband and I relocated to Los Angeles, so now I teach only online courses

with Barton. I look forward to teaching this class, and working with all of you. 

           Now, my personal background: 

           My husband is the Chair of the MFA Program in Creative Writing at Antioch University, Los Angeles. Our son Truman just

turned ten in July, so this is an exciting and busy time. I also have four stepchildren, all of whom are grown. I love reading,

and some of my favorite authors include Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Cheever, Wallace Stegner, Lillian Hellman,

and Flannery O'Conner. I also love to write--particularly nonfiction (personal essays)--and I've recently finished a memoir. My

hobbies include reading and writing as well as jogging, hiking, swimming, and working with visual design/layout. I

also like taking my longhaired miniature dachshund--named Bogart--for long walks.  In my recent free time this summer, I've

also been doing a lot of building with Legos and train tracks as well as playing Skylanders and Mario games with my son.  :-)