Carla Matthews

I am an AACPS: Teacher, Center of Applied Technology South | 2019 Teacher of the Year Honoree

Get to know my students and their stories. Teach the whole child and don’t forget to nourish their souls.

So often I take the time to acknowledge how grateful I am to be able to make a difference in the life of a child through education. I refer to my teaching philosophy as “Soul Food” because of having the opportunity to beautifully educate my students in mind, body and soul.

The behaviors I require and remind my students to be prepared with daily, to allow for the students’ learning to be successful are:

  • Attendance- be present in school every day to engage in high levels of positive coaching and learning.
  • Attitude- have an open mind of positivity to be inspired and empowered with the professional knowledge to succeed.
  • Demonstrate the success of your dreams and goals through your skills.
  • Responsibility- each student must understand that they are learning a professional skill that will require them to choose responses based on their ability.
  • HOPE-Have Only Positive Expectations

Consistent communication of daily goals and high levels of expectations at the onset of the school year sets the tone. Together we establish norms throughout the student’s learning to keep everyone accountable for high levels of success, which is needed for certification testing.

Knowing that my teaching allows me to engage students with real world knowledge and experiences, and teach a curriculum supported by a set of standards that are achievable while providing them the opportunity to learn a passionate skill that will transition from the classroom to the industry is my motivation. Daily modeling and teaching life skills that I want to see the students display as they become adults, whether it is in professional appearance, relationship building, self-care, and understanding how important it is to care for others by giving back through a passionate profession such as cosmetology is very rewarding.