From the school stage to the world stage, this teacher gets his students ready for life

North Augusta, SC

Matt Herring teaches Drama and Music at Merriwether Middle School. Those are more than just subjects to him. He says they are passions that he’s enjoyed his whole life.

“I know growing up through school I always wanted to do something with music,” Herring says. “But Drama was something I was passionate about as well. And being able to have a career where I can have fun doing the things I love every day and teach others to love those things, is something special.”

Mr. Herring knows that middle school can be a challenging time in a young person’s life. But his classes, his approach can make it all so much easier.

“It’s a huge excitement in my life to be able to see these kids grow from that awkwardness of being afraid to be on stage, to then being able to shine doing those things.”

Things that will serve them well throughout life.

“If they’re in my Drama class, they’ll be more comfortable being in front of people, whether it’s in a board meeting, whether it’s in front of their employees in their small business, or whether it is on stage.”

Music class can also prepare them for so much more.

“Teaching them to read what’s essentially a foreign language, or teaching them to be comfortable problem-solving. And being able to be more fluent in all that they do.”

Matt Herring gives a lot to this job for these children. But he gets a ton back from them, and the entire team here at Merriwether and beyond.

“It feels amazing,” he says. ” I mean, to see this level of support. To see the kids walk in the door with smiles on their faces. To see all these people from administration, from the central office. It’s a blessing and I feel it’s just a joy to be a part of this family.”

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