Since joining IDEA Public Schools in 2014, Matt has been and continues to be committed to building schools with strong student and staff culture, high expectations for results and a strong sense of community and competition.  He looks to continue this work as he takes on the role of Principal.

A native of Xenia, Ohio, Matt attended a Carroll High School, a private Catholic school with a 98% college acceptance rate at the time. After graduating, Matt attended The Ohio State University where he majored in Economics. During his time in college Matt served as President of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and helped turn a struggling organization into a nationally recognized and awarded fraternity, also receiving individual national recognition as the president or “Grand Master of the Year”. After college, Matt earned his Master’s in Education from Antioch University while also working for the prestigious Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an organization dedicated to reforming education at the national level. These experiences guided Matt’s interest into joining Teach for America, which brought Matt to the Rio Grande Valley. As a Corps Member he taught AP World History at Roma High School and helped re-write the curriculum to align to the AP standards leading to successful results even after he left to join IDEA Public Schools. Matt came to IDEA Pharr after his time in Roma and was the founding AP World History Teacher and as the 10th Grade Team Leader. After leading the district in AP testing results, Matt became an Assistant Principal of Instruction last year and a Principal in Residence this year at IDEA Mission College Prep where he has continued to coach his teachers and prepare IDEA students for college and lifetime success.

Matt currently lives in McAllen, TX with his loving wife, Margie (who also works for IDEA), their daughter Sutton and sons Mykel, Meryk and “baby” John. They are his motivation and drive him to become a better husband, father and servant every day.