About Me:
My name is Matthew Dicks, and this is my tenth year at Wolcott School and my first year teaching fifth grade. I've also taught second and third grade but am very excited to be teaching the big kids!
I graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut in 1999 with a BA in English and Creative Writing and received my teaching degree at Saint Joseph College at the same time. I also received an Associates Degree from Manchester Community College, the finest college to which I have ever attended. Last year I finished my Master's Degree,Educational Technology from American Intercontinental University and I'm currently working on a Master's in English at Trinity. Before making it to college, I held a number of different positions, including bank manager, restaurant manager, and marketing strategist, but none of those jobs were nearly as rewarding to me as these past few years have been.
In 2005 I was named the West Hartford Teacher of the Year, and later in the year I was named as one of three finalists for Connecticut Teacher of the Year. It was quite an honor for myself and my school, and I have my wife and my colleagues to thank for their remarkable support.
I make my home in West Hartford and am now living in a lovely apartment with my dog, Kaleigh (my best friend) and a huge house cat named, Owen, and my wife and colleague Elysha Dicks (formerly Elysha Green), who teaches third grade in our school. We were married on July 15, 2006 and spent 10 days honeymooning in Bermuda. Pink beaches, good books, fabulous dinners, and a swim with the dolphins were just a few of the highlights. We even found some time to play chess! It was quite a busy and memorable July. Check out the photos from our engagement and the wedding!
In January Mrs. Dicks and I are expecting our first child! We've decided to keep the boy-girl question a surprise. We're just hoping it's human!
In addition to teaching, I own a DJ company, Jam Packed Dance Floor DJ's, and entertain at weddings throughout the state with my partner and best friend (the human one, not Kaleigh).
I am also a writer. In the spring of 2008 I sold my first novel, Something Missing, to Doubleday Publishing, and in July of 2009 it will appear in bookstores. I'm currently finishing my second novel, and have published a few pieces in the Hartford Courant, The Houston Chronicle, Education Leadership, Beginnings magazine, and on the LA Times/Washington Post wire service.
When not teaching, reading, writing, or DJ'ing a wedding, I have many hobbies. I love to play basketball, golf, and poker. I also like to eat! I run every morning with my dog and play with her a great deal. I am also learning a lot about web design (check out our classroom webpage!) and video editing and am in the beginning stages of launching a podcast on teaching. I also run a bi-annual race about Connecticut modeled after CBS's The Amazing Race called The A-Mattzing Race, and this keeps me busy planning and coordinating the next event.
I don't sleep very much!
Educational Background:
- American Intercontinental University, Masters in Informational Technology
- Trinity College, BA
- Saint Joseph College, Certificate of Teaching
- Manchester Community College, Associates Degree
Hobbies & Interests:
- Writing
- Reading
- Golf
- Poker
- Basketball
- Baseball
Awards & Distinctions:
- West Hartford Teacher of the Year, 2005
- CT Teacher of the Year finalist, 2006
- Lighthouse Grant Recipient, 2005
- Power of One Grant Recipient, 2005
- Foundation for West Hartford Public Schools Grant Recipient, 2001-2008