Shanda Matthews, Johnson Co. R-II
Rural Elementary Teacher
Launch the media gallery 1 playerOutstanding Rural Elementary Teacher
Shanda Matthews
Johnson Co. R-VII School District
Shanda Matthews is a teacher who does not take her duties lightly and gives 110% to her job.
Now in her 8th year as a valued member of the Crest Ridge Elementary faculty, Shanda works tirelessly daily for her third grade students, her afterschool program students, and for the entire district. The term “works” is used purposefully, because that is truly Ms. Matthews attitude as she works with the students, parents, colleagues and patrons of the Crest Ridge school community.
If you were to ask students and patrons of the Crest Ridge R-VII School District who they thought was the most dedicated, kind and caring teacher in the elementary school, although hard to choose one, they would undoubtedly name Ms. Matthews. Ms. Matthews shares her enthusiasm of learning, loyalty and love of the district and students with everyone she meets. Each student is treated with respect and with the importance of belonging to the school and her classroom community. To Shanda, all of the students feel they are her favorite, they are eager to please her and respect her. As one of her colleagues puts it, “She is tough but they manage to have so much fun. She has high expectations of her students and holds them accountable. Her students form a bond with her that is really incredible to see.”
Ms. Matthews is committed to the Crest Ridge community and its needs. She applied for an after school care grant four years ago. Just recently, with Shanda’s direction, the district was able to expand the program to include before-school care. This program continues to grow and is known as a model program within the state of Missouri.
Ms. Matthews is highly respected by her colleagues serving as an instructional leader and teacher mentor. She has been instrumental in leading the district staff toward the Common Core State Standards and analyzing MAP data to determine building power standards, specifically in math and reading.
Ms. Matthews wealth of experience, a true role model for students, and one that recognizes that teaching is NOT just a job sets her apart and makes it appropriate that we congratulate Shanda Matthews as Missouri’s Outstanding Rural Elementary Teacher for 2013.