As the school year comes to a close and seniors, among others, leave the school for good, one teacher, Matthew Davis also leaves the fold as well.
Davis has been a part of the Wootton community for three years, teaching technology classes as well as being the head track coach. This year will be his last, as he plans to move to Philadelphia in search of a community that is “half as wonderful as Wootton,” as he said.
Davis did not always start as the active, running technology teacher students all know and love. He too grew up in Montgomery county, attending Springbrook before college. He embarked onto his journey by attending UMBC where he studied physics and computer Science. Davis also founded the running club at UMBC, which grew into a regionally ranked team that even qualified for national competition.
Davis’ shift toward education was an unexpected one. Originally, he worked as a programming intern but quickly grew tired of sitting at a desk all day, among other things, and realized that this was not something he could do for the rest of his life.
One day Davis was walking through the physics building of his college and described his first encounter with teaching when he saw a sign that said, “‘Do you like Physics?’ and I thought to myself, “Yes!” It then asked, “Do you like teaching” well I didn’t like teaching but I knew I was a good tutor based on some of my friends. I went to an interest meeting and the rest is history.”
As a teacher Davis found his favorite, most rewarding part to be the “impact [he] can have on [his] students each and every day.”
Students like junior Avery Tarwater appreciate his dedication to teaching. “I think his teaching is beyond his years, he’s really able to identify with [his students,]” Tarwater said.
When Davis left UMBC, he took with him his passion for running. His three years as head track coach have brought tremendous progress and change to the team and its members. As a coach, he ensured the best for his athletes on and off the field. “He really cared, he would have meetings during lunch to help us improve,” sophomore Erin Chelf said.
As he leaves, Davis notes that he will most miss “the wonderful positive community that is possible when we all have a shared goal.”
To those questioning their futures or itching for a last piece of wisdom from Davis, he says to “Be a good person and do the right thing. You will be pressured so many times in your life to take shortcuts but in these trying times we need people to grow up selflessly and with the desire to make a positive impact on others.”
Aaron Levine
Staff Writer
