LANSING, MI – A Clinton County educator known for developing a student-driven outdoor ice rink project that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) learning across grade levels has been honored with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery, according to a press release.
The award winner, Joseph Matulis, is a physical education teacher at Riley and Eureka Elementary Schools. The schools are a part of the St. Johns Public School District.
Winners of the weekly award receive a $2,000 cash prize. At the end of the school year, one of the weekly award winners will be selected to receive the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and will receive a $10,000 cash prize.
Matulis said that having an older brother expose him to all kinds of physical activities is what led him to a career in education.
“Growing up, I was lucky to have an older brother who exposed me to all kinds of activities. He went out of his way to teach me how to ski, swim and sail, along with traditional sports like basketball, baseball and football. At the time, he wasn’t a physical education teacher, he was simply my older brother taking the time to teach me and including me in the things he enjoyed.
“A student might learn to catch a ball, ride a bike, ice skate or try an outdoor activity for the first time and that skill itself is important, but what really drives me is the confidence that comes with it. I want students to learn that it’s okay not to be good at something the first time. You practice, keep trying and you improve. When a child realizes, ‘I couldn’t do this before, but now I can,’ that’s what keeps me excited about teaching.
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