Teacher of the Month⼁Introducing Matt M
At Pacific Preparatory, we are so lucky to work with the most thoughtful and inspiring instructors, all who bring lessons to life with engaging connections to student interests and their community. This month, we are pleased to celebrate Matt, whose reflective teaching inspires interactive and investigative activities that create an insightful understanding of our community and world.
Matt (he/him/his) graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in English. He began teaching as a student at Michigan State for international students before being hired by the federal government's No Child Left Behind program. He also served as a College Admissions Specialist, helping students gain admission to MIT, Yale, Berkeley, USC, and other top universities. Matt is well versed in developing close reading skills that help encourage critical analysis in the history classroom and utilizes universal learning design to reach all learners. Matt personalizes his lessons to each individual student’s learning style to promote comprehensive understanding of material. He has experience working with students who are challenged by anxiety and attention disorders and feels comfortable supporting students with a range of learning differences. Matt has been working with students since 2008 and with Pacific Preparatory, Matt teaches English, history and government. When Matt isn't teaching he can be found playing ice hockey, writing political opinion pieces or reading.
What’s your favorite subject to teach and why?
I love to teach history. We often view history class as a collection of dates and events but it really should go beyond that. History isn't just a single timeline of events which happened in chronological order, it's a series of conflicting and corroborating narratives which all inform our understanding of the way things happened and, in turn, the way things are currently. History is often presented as a lecture class, but in my opinion it can (and should) be the most interactive class we have. It not only gives students an opportunity to really put their analytical skills to work, but encourages a move away from the traditional right/wrong paradigm often found in education and instead encourages nuance into an increasingly polarized world.
What has surprised you about teaching with Pacific Preparatory?
Absolutely the leadership team. I never worked in a traditional classroom, but I've heard countless horror stories in the news and from friends who are in that space, who are dealing with administrations who are so blatantly out of touch or without the resources to properly support their teachers. Not only is the administration at PacPrep made of former teachers, but their level of support is second to none. Making sure that teachers have the resources and moral support makes all the difference in the quality of education they are able to provide.
What is your favorite activity to do outside of teaching?
I'm a total political wonk and news junkie. I love to read the news and know what's going on in the world. In a time when mental health experts are telling people to give themselves space from the news and the state of the world, I'm the total opposite. I want to know more. I want to know why. I love to break it down in my head. I think for me it's a process of self discovery. How do I really feel about this court decision or that foreign policy move? I understand why the news is stressful for a lot of people, but for me it's really about grounding myself by being informed and forming a well thought out understanding of the world.
Matt, we and your students are so lucky to have you on our team! Congratulations on being our Teacher of the Month!