Wednesday, May 6, 2026
When I think about our children’s elementary school years, their time in Matt’s 4th grade classroom stands out as among their happiest. He showed up every day full of laughter, energy, and enthusiasm, but also with a deep sense of caring and truly “seeing” each of his students. In short, he showed them what it means to be a great teacher.
Matt’s teaching methods emphasized humor (always!), but also creativity, critical thinking, and character development. I remember that he often incorporated movement to engage his students, throwing and catching a Nerf ball with each child as he asked them a math problem. His classroom became a sanctuary for many — a place where kids not only grew academically, but also learned invaluable life lessons about integrity, perseverance, and pushing themselves to try new things.
I remember when he told our daughter she was “great” at math and convinced her to join the math team he had organized - something she most certainly would otherwise never have considered. But this sort of encouragement wasn’t unique to her. He made everyone feel like a favorite. He made a point of learning about each child’s favorite hobbies and activities, and then showed up for at least one event a year for each of them. You would find him on the sidelines of a student’s soccer game, in the audience at a piano recital, or in the bleachers at a basketball tournament. I don’t know how he found the time, but he made each of them feel so special. We are filled with gratitude that this amazing human was part of our lives. And whenever he spoke about his family, it was always with such obvious pride and love.
I can’t hope for anything more meaningful for his loved ones than that they see in themselves at least a few of Matt’s most distinctive qualities, and that this lasting reflection of his spirit and character brings all of you some measure of comfort. We send you our deepest sympathy.
