Jeff Matthews began his career in education nearly two decades ago as a fourth grade elementary school teacher. Professional opportunities along the way led him to serve as an administrator at the high school and middle school levels as well; yet he always felt in his heart that someday he would return to the elementary school level in a leadership capacity.
Aiken County Board of Education members approved Matthews’ appointment as the new principal at Mossy Creek Elementary School for the 2018-19 school year during the school board’s July 17 regularly scheduled meeting. Stephanie Hammond, the school’s former principal, retired in June following the 2017-18 school year.
Watching the joy with which his four-year-old daughter approaches each day of her own elementary school experience let Matthews know the time for a move back to the elementary level had arrived.
“I started my career as an elementary school teacher and I really have a heart for the elementary level, the concepts taught there and the ability to do so many creative things instructionally,” Matthews stated. “I just kept watching my daughter and the pure enthusiasm she has for school, and I knew it was time to return to that level. Aiken County was an area my family was very interested in and I am just so excited to be back at the elementary level.”
Matthews’ academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Bluefield State College in West Virginia, and a Master of Arts in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina.
Prior to his new role in Aiken County, Matthews served as principal at Pelion Middle School in Lexington County, Bluefield Middle School in West Virginia, and Memorial Primary School, also located in West Virginia. Previous administrative assignments also include service as assistant principal at South Iredell High School in North Carolina.
Matthews says his middle school experience has provided a wealth of information related to rising sixth-grade students, allowing him to better understand where elementary students need skill development and improvement as they leave elementary school for the middle grades.
“You can really see what the needs are with those rising sixth-grade students, not just academically but socially, and that preparation is something I am really passionate about,” Matthews commented. “All the research in the world tells us that if you can reach students by the third grade you can put the foundations in place that will help them be successful.”
As a school administrator, Matthews has been recognized as a Principal of the Year, he has served as a South Carolina Teacher Standards evaluator, participated in a coaching fellows partnership with Google and Digital Promise, he has served as a Leader in Me trainer, and received a Principals Leadership Academy Distinguished Scholar Award.
Before the start of the 2018-19 school year, Matthews says he looks forward to working with his Mossy Creek colleagues to formulate the goals and strategies that will push Mossy Creek to even greater achievements.
“My first 100 days will be very important,” Matthews added. “We will be looking to incorporate new teacher and student leadership opportunities in some areas and also enhancing it in others. We want to be enthusiastic about what we do, and teach responsibility and work on self-accountability and social behaviors, while also continuing to focus on literacy and numeracy.”
Matthews started in his role Mossy Creek Elementary School principal in July.