Our Teachers

What I like most about teaching Kindergarten is that the children tell it like it is. Often what they say is very funny! I love the fact that St. Matthew’s is a multi-cultural school and I love being able to share my belief in God and Jesus with the children that I teach. It is my goal to make learning fun for my students while I meet their individual needs. I want them to be so excited about learning that they can’t wait to come back the next day. Learning in Kindergarten is very multi-sensory or hands-on. We grow a garden in the spring and raise butterflies. We have a classroom pet name Guin whom the kids love. We sing a lot and learn many cheers to celebrate our successes! We also go on field trips like to the fire station, the Science Museum and the Minnesota Zoo. Mr. Osborne’s incredible teaching is a wonderful addition to our classroom!

I really love working with children. Their enthusiasm for life, excitement for learning and their ability to change and grow on a continuous basis makes for a challenging, and rewarding job. I believe that every child has the potential to succeed.

This is my third year teaching at St. Matthew’s. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Morris, I worked for two years in the White Bear Lake school district teaching second and third grade. During the following two years I lived in Paraguay, working with elementary school teachers as a Peace Corp volunteer. I grew up on the West Side and have been a member of St. Matthew’s Church all my life. It has been a great experience for me to come back and work with the children of this community.

I have been at St. Matthew’s for over 30 years. During this time I have taught in grades three through eight and was principal for two years. I enjoy reuniting with former students as they register their children at St. Matthew’s.

My primary goal in teaching is to meet the needs of our children. They are eager to learn. I also have a strong belief that it’s important for children to spend time with elders. For the past 8 years, I have taken my students to weekly visits at Cerenity (formerly Wilder) nursing home across the street. We play bingo, do crafts, share music and in the process enrich the experience of the students and the lives of the elders.

I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. It is my desire as an educator to help students meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing an environment that is safe, supportive, respectful, and invites a sharing of ideas and viewpoints.  I believe  in the importance of teaching my students to think critically, to question, to communicate, and to find what motivates them to be life-long learners!

I firmly believe that when children enter the early years of school it is important that they start with a strong foundation. Using humor, music and their surrounding environment, students build and develop their own knowledge and learning styles. This will help each student become learners of the future.

Music Specialist

Music is a very important part of a child’s life and is a fun and dynamic way to help them learn. Music is one of the best ways that we can learn about other people. By learning about another culture's music, students develop an appreciation of others. Rhythms, sounds, songs of faith, patriotic songs, plus other musical concepts are all ways that help to enrich a child’s sense of the world around him or her.

This is my eighth year at St. Matthew’s.  Until this year I taught fifth grade. At the start of the 2007-08 school year I moved upstairs to take the position of Assistant Principal and middle school religion teacher.  My favorite thing about teaching is helping students make connections between the classroom and the larger faith community.  St. Matthew’s is a very special school and I feel it is a great privilege to spend every day learning with students and their families.

Carlos Diaz

Spanish

The physical development of all students is incredibly important. Learning how to lead a healthy lifestyle through good eating and exercise habits is vital for everyone.

This is my fifth year teaching Art at St. Matthew’s School. Art is an area that allows all children to succeed and build self-confidence. Students will be able to use the knowledge and expressiveness resulting from art education experiences in all areas of their lives.