About Mr. Matherne

Everyone has equity here. What you choose to do with the opportunities provided for you will be either a consequence or source. Remember, the choice is all yours!


Personal

I grew up in extreme southern Louisiana to a large family that valued respect, integrity, and of course having a strong work ethic.  As the youngest of nine children as well as many uncles, aunts, and cousins being close by, I developed an understanding of different perspectives along with the useful art of reflection.  The characteristics of being a team player was instilled in me from as early as I can remember.  Every weekend the entire family would get together for cookouts and sports games such as soccer, baseball, and football in the park.  Being one of the youngest and smallest on the field instilled in me that it is necessary to work hard at all times and especially when faced with adversity.  The passion for teamwork was quickly established and carried over to various competitive sports teams, friendships, education, and my adult careers.  I attended a private academy where the curriculum was progressive and the expectations were high both academically and in civic responsibility.  From the time I was eight, I worked at the family business which was my parents' restaurant.  Again, this continued to enforce the principles of teamwork, responsibility, ownership, and work ethic.  Post high school, I was a collegiate athlete; however, quickly answered my calling and enlisted in the United States Air Force.  My career field in the military was one of the most physically and mentally demanding. It shaped me into the person I am today, which is continuing to live by the Air Force core values: integrity, service before self, and excellence in all you do! 

Education

I have always had a fascination with learning.  I call it, nutrition for the brain!  I have more or less been in school, in some capacity, since 1983.  After graduating from high school, I attended the University of Texas at Arlington.  Although my time there was successful, it was my duty to enlist in the United States Air Force where I attended countless schools of training which ranged from anti-terrorism, desert and urban warfare, leadership, etc.  Upon completion of my time in the military, I attended Weatherford College were I received my associates degree.  I then transferred to Hill College where I attended the Firefighter Academy and Paramedic Emergency Medical Technician school.  After two years of working in the paramedic / firefighter career, I went back to school and graduated from Tarleton State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Lamar University with a Master of Education in Educational Technology Leadership with a principal certification.  

Professional

I was extremely lucky that my professional career started when I was eight years old working at Cliff's Seafood Restaurant which was owned by my parents.  From eight to nineteen I worked there in every capacity from busboy to kitchen manager.  The latter is where I spent the vast majority of my employment.  At 16 I began coaching competitive soccer with Granbury United Soccer club, which continued for 20 years. Over the course of those 20 years, I held such positions as Academy Director and Club Director.  During my time in the Air Force, I successfully (two gold medals) competed Air Force wide in various combat competitions within the Air Combat Command and the Air Mobility Command.  After my time in the Air Force, I became a firefighter / paramedic where I worked for the City of Southlake.  During that time, I also had extensive training in the trauma center at both Cooks Children's Hospital and John Peter Smith.  My broad and varied work history has uniquely equipped me to perform under pressure while easily building relationships with kids.  These skills coupled with my passion for mentoring those around me to be their very best led me to choose a career in Education.   I was hired by Castleberry ISD to become and English I Intervention teacher at Castleberry High School.  I team taught with two experienced yet contrasting teachers broadening my perspectives, strategies, and skills in the classroom.  Before the end of the year, I was teaching my own classes of on-level and interventions.  My second year I taught English I & II Interventions for the entire year where my students were successful during retesting.  The following year, before the school year began, I was chosen by our principal to be the English Department Leader.  In addition to these new responsibilities I was selected to teach English IV, Advanced Placement Literature, and continued with English II Interventions.  At the end of the first semester, I was approached by members of the Teaching, Learning, and Innovation (TLI) team with the opportunity to teach English II and Pre-Advanced Placement English II.  After a challenging yet rewarding year, I was promoted to Secondary Demonstration Coach where I went into the classroom of other teachers and modeled lessons as well as being an administrative team member for an improvement required campus.  With another year came another promotion and my next challenge.  I was selected to be the next assistant principal of Irma Marsh Middle School.  After an incredible successful year of increasing academic achievement by 65% and lowering the disciplinary referrals by 300%, I decided to accept another position / promotion with Birdville ISD.  I was tasked with assisting teachers and students with online learning for the entire district at the secondary level which included 13 campuses, 1,500 teachers, and 12,548 students.  As a result of unexpected life events, I was forced to step down from my administrative role in education and return to the classroom.  I had the pleasure of accepting a teaching position at Godley High School within the Godley ISD school system teaching English I and II.  It is with great pleasure to announce I will be returning to Godley High School for a third year to teach English II once again as well as English IV!