When I was in Kindergarten, we had fourth grade reading buddies that would come in probably once a week and, well, read with us. They were old enough where they didn’t need to be escorted by their teacher, but sometimes he would come with them anyways. A tall man with salt and pepper hair, wearing a plaid button down shirt, jeans, black clogs and a huge smile would enter the room with this positive energy following right behind him. His name was Mr. Matthews. 

For the next three years, I thought about how I had to have him in the fourth grade. He was the coolest. He was the funniest. He had a Taco Dance. Need I say more? So when the class list came out that August and I saw my name under his, feeling excited was an understatement. Here are some of my memories and thoughts...

The Taco Dance lived up to its tale. Before heading down to lunch on Taco Tuesdays, he would play a certain song and we would all dance our chaotic 10-year-old energy away. Well-played Mr. Matthews….He had this box filled with hundreds of question cards and for every 25 we finished we would get a homework pass. Boy, could I have used one of those passes while I was up late doing homework in college... 

And when the biggest scandal of the year hit us like a rock - the theft of my sushi-shaped erasers, he had my back. He made an announcement to the whole class that stealing was not okay and that whoever took them should return them. No one ever did. If you took them and you’re reading this, can you just shoot me a text so I know? I’m not mad. It just really keeps me up at night. 

I went back as a fifth grader to visit him. I’m so glad that I did. He was what every future teacher should aspire to be. He had our respect. He laughed with us, and sometimes at us. He cared. 

When I found out he had passed away, I was heartbroken. He was just one of those teachers. I knew I had to write something and my mom suggested that I reach out to my class. So, I became an FBI detective and tracked down everyone from the Matthews 2009-10 class and created a group chat. So many memories suddenly rushed back into my head and I was immediately taken back to the best classroom. The words my classmates wrote below can attest to that. 

Although I didn’t keep in touch with him like some other students did, I feel as if I just spoke with him. I can still hear his uplifting voice, see his eyes that literally seemed to sparkle and feel the comfort he exuded among all who were around him. 

Rest in Peace to the unforgettable Mr. Matthews. You are so loved and looked up to. And I am so lucky to have known you. 

Jackson Gautreau - 

He asked my mom over Facebook for my phone number and he called me while I was at school. I thought it was a little strange but he really meant well. He wanted to tell me that he remembered when *teacher* made me cry and he apparently confronted *teacher* about it. He was apparently very concerned that it had left an emotional scar or something, and he felt the need to reach out ten years later. The fact that he was still so distraught about this specific memory that I hadn’t thought about in a decade says so much about who he was and how much he cared about his students and people in general. 

Olivia Schultheiss - 

He really was a great teacher. I know it’s not much, but some fun memories I have from his class are the taco dance and the evil chicken. 

Rachel Ornstein - 

That class was genuinely one of my favorites. He always made learning so fun for us and the taco dance will never be forgotten. He also just exuded the warmest, brightest, kindest energy of any teacher I’ve had. One of the things I remember is him talking in funny voices when teaching us or literally just in general and making me laugh a lot which was much appreciated as a fourth grader. 

Scott O’shea - 

RIP. I remember getting in trouble a lot but Mr. Matthews always meant well and he wanted to help better us as people as well as students. So many great memories with such an amazing teacher.  

Guy Savino - 

Mr. Matthews will always be that teacher you remember. I don’t recall a time that he was ever negative towards his students. He was always full of love and wanted to see his students do the best that they can while being themselves. I remember at the end of the school day, students that had Mr. Matthews in the past would come back and visit him and talk about how much they loved the class. I only wish I could do that now. 

Sean Persson - 

While I haven’t lived in Chappaqua for about 8 years now, I will always remember Mr. Matthews as being the most kind teacher I have ever had. I don’t even recall the names of 90% of my elementary school teachers but I will always remember his. RIP Mr. Matthews you will be missed greatly. 

Miles Bomback - 

This news is incredibly sad and he truly made a difference in so many people's lives. Mr. Matthews connected with me on Facebook about a year ago to just say hi and catch up. The fact that 10 years later he still wanted to see how I was doing, the same way he did in fourth grade, shows how much he cared for his students. In our conversation he reminisced about our grade referring to us as a “magical classroom.” I remember Mr. Matthews always trying to make the classroom a special and warm environment for his students. I feel so lucky to have been able to have had him in the 4th grade. He will be greatly missed. 

Emma Parente - 

To this day, as a college student, I still tell people Mr. Matthews was my favorite teacher. It’s hard to remember 4th grade, but looking back I know that was a great year for me because of him. He knew how to make class interesting. I specifically remember him talking about his passion for cooking, his ability to make us laugh and his entertaining class traditions. I remember telling my sister that I enjoyed being at school more than being home just because of how much fun Mr. Matthews made learning. At the end of the school year I made him a pencil holder with the entire class on it. I remember him being really excited about it and that made me so happy. He really knew how to make students feel special. I definitely think he had an impact on my life and who I am today and I’m so thankful we were able to know him. 

Tori Sternkopf - 

When I was in 4th grade I struggled a bit with spelling and was also not a great reader. Mr. Matthews suggested I buy this thing that was sort of like a little digital dictionary that helped me learn how to spell / taught me lots of words. It was really helpful because that way I wouldn’t have to be embarrassed about going up to him and always asking for help, instead I could figure things out on my own. This is a really special memory for me because I did like reading and writing when growing up but constantly having to ask for help was really embarrassing and often made me feel bad. He offered me a way to grow on my own and to avoid feeling self-conscious which I think played a big role in my development of a passion for both reading and writing as I got older. He was such an amazing teacher with great energy that made class a warm and welcoming place - I feel so lucky to have had him as our 4th grade teacher.  

Michael Maitland - 

Mr. Matthews is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. He was so fun and creative and did things that no other teacher did. From the Taco Dance, Do You Know the Muffin Man, to Challenge Cards, he made sure that we were all excited to go to class. One memory that always sticks with me is that Josh and I used to compete with each other with the number of Challenge Cards we did. As we got pretty far in them, I didn’t know long multiplication or long division, and even though we weren’t at that point in the curriculum yet, we were somehow excited to spend extra time learning how to do it. He found creative ways that made us engaged in what we were learning as opposed to showing up and learning because that’s what we had to do. I will really miss him and we were all so lucky to have had him. 

Elizabeth Wendel -

I remember he would take breaks during the day to dance or make jokes with the entire class. He genuinely cared about how each of us felt in and outside the classroom. I looked up to him so much; I remember I wrote in our yearbook that I wanted to be a chef when I grew up just because he was really passionate about cooking and I wanted to be more like him. I will always remember him as a role model and key adult in my life. When I graduated from Greeley, he sent me a card in the mail and told me how proud and impressed he was with where I ended up. I remember being especially proud of myself because he was proud of me. I don’t think I would have the same confidence in myself or my school work without him. 

Jacqueline Goldberg - 

I hadn’t thought about this class in a very long time, but when I do I remember how special it was for me. I made great friends and was happy to be learning and I believe that was all made possible by Mr. Matthews. He was a great teacher because he cared about us. He cared to listen and learn about us as individuals and teach in ways that we would respond to. He was warm and positive with the greatest energy and made coming to class everyday fun whether it was Taco Tuesday or one of his quirky stories he loved to share. I have always felt lucky that I was able to experience him as my teacher. 

Serena Sheth - 

It was really hard to adapt to a new school in a new country. However, Mr. Matthews made me feel so welcomed and comfortable right away. He showed that he truly cared about us. He taught in a way that would engage us and make us want to learn. He also told the best stories! He had such a positive vibe and always had a smile on his face. His energy would radiate through the class and I am so grateful to have had him as my teacher.

Gillian Zankel -

It is so evident what a positive impact Mr. Matthews had on all of us. One of my favorite memories I have is when he made the birthday hugs so all of us could have a personalized card for our birthdays signed by all of our classmates. Having a summer birthday, I never had the chance to feel like it mattered, but Mr Matthews went above and beyond to make us feel special and cared about both inside and outside the classroom. His energy, positivity, and passion for learning has always stayed with me. His influence is still a big reason why I believe spreading positivity to others is so important. He will be so incredibly missed.

Rachel Beran -

Reading period was always (and still is) the hardest time for me. I wasn’t able then and am still not able to sit still for anything longer than 10 minutes to read. One day during reading time, Mr. Matthews saw me pretending to read sitting under a desk. He called me over to his desk and had me read from a learning to read book. He had me read a few lines which were “I can ride my bike. I can tie my shoes.” Then he had me read the next page out loud and I read, “I can read.” And then he said, “Now go read.” I still think of this moment and laugh. I think back on it now and think of how clever it was and it brings such a smile to my face. Mr. Matthews was an amazing teacher who catered his style of teaching to individual students and was an amazing person. I am so thankful for Mr. Matthews and the fun and creativity he brought to my fourth grade class.