Beth Matthews is an energetic and committed teacher with strong beliefs in the process of life-long learning.  Her educational philosophy is strongly routed in the teachings of John Dewey, who once wrote:  “Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself.” Ms. Matthews believes it is the process not the product that truly reflects one’s growth, development, and education.  She prides herself on a classroom of self-motivated, teacher-directed inquiry, where learning becomes a part of who the children are everyday.

At the same time, Ms. Matthews strives to be a life-long learner herself.  She completed her Bachelors Degree with a double major in Elementary Education and Relational Psychology from Goucher College in Baltimore, MD.  She then went onto to achieve an ED.M in Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University with a focus on Educational Policy and Reform.  Ms. Matthews has begun her work towards a doctorate in the same program.

Professionally, Ms. Matthews comes to BIS-NY with diverse experiences, including teaching in urban, international and bilingual schools.  Her seven years of professional teaching experience include placements in Nursery-Year 3.  In each of her placements, as with life experiences, Ms. Matthews honed a new skill and developed a richer understanding of the process of teaching and learning.  In Baltimore, Ms. Matthews developed her skills as a practitioner; she focused on curriculum design, lesson planning, and assessment.  In Santiago, working at an IB World school, she developed a deep understanding and love for the Primary Years Programme and overall IB philosophy.  In Harlem, Ms. Matthews focused on creating classroom and schoolwide initiatives to improve student motivation, engagement and accountability.  With a solid foundation, Ms. Matthews wanted to get back to a school and curriculum, which reflected her own teacher-learner values.

As such, Ms. Matthews was delighted to return to the Primary Years Program and joined the BIS-NY community in 2010 as a Year 3 teacher.  She also worked along students to create The BIS-NY Press, our school newspaper.  In the 2011-2012 school year Ms. Matthews will take over as Head of Shakespeare House.  She will also work alongside Mrs. Carter and Ms. Ottley to organize and extend the Student Council and Community Service Programs.  Ms. Matthews is passionate about the importance of student-led programs and initiatives such as the house system, student council and community service because of the sense of ownership, agency, and responsibility it instills in the children.  She looks forward to adding a bit of pizzazz to the already well-established programs!

On a more personal note, Ms. Matthews is originally from Maryland, where her father worked for the Chilean Embassy and Naval Mission.  She was raised a bilingual speaker and became fluent in English and Spanish during her time in Santiago, Chile.  Ms. Matthews came to New York officially for her continued education at Columbia University; however, she has stayed in New York for its international and cultural interests.  In her free time, she enjoys theater, foreign films, reading, hiking, and cycling.  She also tries to travel often for a bit of international experience or fresh country air!  She looks forward to bringing her passion for culture, arts and the outdoors to her teaching, clubs, and service at BIS-NY.

Ms. Matthews is looking forward to moving to Year 6 next year and working alongside the students to achieve an insightful and poignant exhibition!

Qualifications

B.A. Elementary Education and Psychology, Goucher College, Baltimore, USA
M.A. Curriculum and Teaching, Teachers College, Columbia University, NYC