SAN ANTONIO — A Steele High School teacher who goes above and beyond for her students has earned the Credit Human EXCEL Award for Schertz-Cibolo-Universal-City ISD and a $2,000 check.
Courtney Matthews' hard work for her students is evident in her dual roles as an English teacher and head of student council. She keeps reminders on the wall of the last 19 years of her career.
"My snapshots of my students for 19 years. And there's many of them where I can tell you who did that project and why they did it," Matthews said.
The projects are visual manifestations of the lessons learned from classic literature, allowing the students to express themselves creatively.
"It's a really fun way for them to creatively show their understanding of the text," Matthews said.
Her students say they appreciate the twist on classic literature.
"She just asks us to think deeper. And it's really cool to be able to see those connections," student Madison Gastol said.
She also challenges students to dig deeper into their Spotify playlists and analyse songs they listen to over and over. The exercise ends up being a learning experience for both the teacher and students.
"Some of them are songs that I thought I knew. And then once they analyze it in front of the class, I am shocked. And I didn't know that the song was that sad or that meaningful," Matthews said.
The assignment is proving to be a big hit with her students.
"It helps me better formulate how I'm going to write my speeches, how I'm going to put things down," student Wesley Jeffords said.
Her work with the student council for two decades includes hosting blood drives regularly as well as other activities. That effort has earned her students' admiration and appreciation.
"Sometimes it can feel like the adults don't care just because, you know, we're not the same generations," Gastol said. "But she does a really good job of just showing us that she really does care."
That care and passion makes the fleeting time she has with her students even more special.
"I know as a teacher, that we impact them, that they have no idea how much we absolutely love them, but then also hate when they walk out the door."