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Better off with Mr. Matez, or without?
The question was: Yes. Isn't it about time to take the poll about Mr. Matez off the top of the norfolknet comments? It is a done deal and time to move on with current comments. Thank you! Down with Godfrey!!! And go back to Novia Scotia Miss Chriss!! There's going to be even more children in every third grade class next year unless they can find a permanant teacher. Better without, having experienced him for 3 years with my older children. While his theory is wonderful, our kids live in a very competitive world and as parents we need to prepare them for college and what they will face. Honor students (SATs of 1350-1600) with older SAT scoring up to 1600 are having a difficult time getting in to their 1st and 2nd choice schools, never mind scholarship funds. These scores are very, very good, considering the national average was 1050 last year, and they are being wait-listed or not even getting accepted. We know, we experienced it, and were schocked. None of my children had Mr. Matez but I'm extremely appalled by the fact that he was not only fired, but that it was done mid-year. The school committee and school administration are accountable to the taxpayers of Norfolk and they failed to address the questions asked by the parents. It's unfortunate for Norfolk to lose a dedicated teacher like Eric Matez. Our son was in Mr. Matez's class two years ago. He is incredible and an extremely worthwhile asset to the Town of Norfolk school system!! None of my children have had Mr. Matez or will not have the pleasure of having him, which is a shame. I have had several friends of mine whose children have had him and absolutely loved him, and I very sorry that we will not be able to experience it first-hand for ourselves. I truly believe we are at a disadvantage by losing him. A diamond in the rough..... Shouldn't learning be fun? Shouldn't the students' attention be captured? I have no children in the elementary system right now, and i do not know this teacher, but he has done nothing wrong!! Sounds like the administration over there is in a pickle. I hope it all can be worked out so everyone comes away satisfied and happy. All of this tension is not good for anyone that is involved in this matter. In support of Mr. Matez! I had a child in his class who is now in High School. His teaching style was EXCELLENT and, in the end, taught her far more than the curriculum requirements! It is a shame that we have become a divided town over this issue, which to me is clearly about administrative micromanagement vs. a teacher's right to teach in their own style. I applaud all those who are demanding answers and calling for a review of the current administration. My son didn't have Mr. Matez as a teacher but we were certainly aware of his reputation. Except for the fact that Mr. Matez was on leave that year, we would have asked for him. Instead, my son had an outstanding teacher, Mrs. Thibodeau. Like Mr. Matez, she consciously tried to adapt her style to her students rather than vice versa. The results were visible both in skills learned and attitude towards learning. I suspect she too would struggle with this administration. I definitely believe that Norfolk would be better off with Mr. Matez. I am struck by the lack of solid data behind the school administration's decision. There appears to be no evidence that Mr. Matez's students performed any worse than any other teacher's students. In that context, it's hard to understand their decision as anything other than a bureaucratic insistence on conformity. Aside from the reality that different students learn in different ways, the pressure toward conformity is one of the most pernicious aspects of American public education. It robs our children of their creativity and initiative as well as intrinsic joy of learning. It also creates an attitude that must be unlearned in higher education and employment. Faculty at many colleges and universities complain that we are graduating young adults who don't know how to think for themselves and want to see the world in a simplistic "right or wrong" way. Employers have similar complaints. MCAS may be mandated but it is no excuse for punishing a teacher who tries to marry those requirements with a desire to encourage his students to be life-long learners. How unprofessional, the continued insistence of poor Mr Matez's reinstatement with his forfeited position as a Public School Teaching Professional. Shame on him and to those who continue to second-guess the authority of our School Officials. You don't see or hear from the True Professionals who are on the other side of this matter as they continue to follow protocol and maintain a higher level of respect for others. Mr. Matez failed to abide by the State Standards of Public Education while most or all the other Norfolk Public School Officials and Teachers do (period). I understand when a child is upset at the loss of a teacher mid-year, but to witness a handful of parents kicking and stomping, insisting they get their way, well, that is plain unreal. Who are you? The rally, on the Town Hall grounds, what is next? Seams like an old-fashioned witch hunt if you ask me. Kudos to the School Administration for mandating protocol. I am sure they remained as patient as they could but have simply had enough already! Barely sixty four parents or so could be counted on the front page of our local newspaper. Count the children, well maybe close to one hundred people attended. We live in a Town with thousands of people. When a few upset parents continue to rant and rave because they cannot get their way, well, perhaps those who have heard enough should rally also in the hopes of dousing this nonsense. Perhaps Mr. Matez is a wonderment in the way of creative teaching. There are plenty of Private and Special Ed Schools who may wish to interview with him. Public is public and there are certain guidelines we all have to live with and this is certainly one of them. All this over a third grade teacher.... Norfolk is changing.... Please let go of this matter.... Yes, we need teachers like Mr. Matez. We are NOT better off without him. I have 3 children, none have had Mr. Matez, but my son has loved the sports that Mr. Matez has organized at recess. That is his favorite thing at the FC school. I had Mr Matez in the third grade, 2 years ago. He was unbelievable and we want him back. Please let Mr Matez come back to the Freeman! I had a child in his current class, and I think it is a *huge* loss. Without him. In every other workplace, if you don't do the job you are asked to do, you are asked to leave. Why should it be different for our schools? I have no children, but I see plenty of adults who act like them when they don't get their way. Our children are definitely worse off with Mr. Matez gone. I have not had a child in his class - I was not that fortunate - but I did chaperone a 3rd grade field trip 10 years ago and still remember all the teachers sitting up front & chatting while Mr. Matez led the children in singing songs all the way home - songs I was told he had taught them. At the time I was impressed & continue to be so. Kids are much better off with a creative teacher. No child of mine has had him. If I understand what you're asking, of course the school would be worse off without Mr. Matez. However, I question if Mr. Matez will be better off if he stays. (My 16-year old son was a student of his in 3rd grade and Mr. Matez, without a doubt, was his favorite teacher!) Get Mr. Matez back. He sounds like a great teacher. I have never had a child in his class. Kids are WAY better off WITHOUT Mr. Matez. Better off with Mr. Matez. He was a great teacher. I'm a student at F/C and I thought he was great. We are MUCH better off with him. I have had a child in Mr. Matez's class. I think he should be reinstated. Yes, Mr. Matez deserves to stay and teach. He has my full support, my daughter was in his class and she absolutely excelled and looked forward to go to school everyday. REINSTATE MR. MATEZ!! Yes, I did have a child in this wonderful and amazing teacher's class and we will always reap the benefit of his time with Mr. Matez. Thank you, My child had him. Every school should have a teacher like Mr. Matez. Better off WITH - I have not had a child in Mr. M's class but I happen to be a third grade teacher in a neighboring town (For what that's worth :0) I am completely in support of Mr. Matez. My children have not had him (although I have 1st grader). When Mr. Matez started teaching in Norfolk, my son was fortunate enough to be in his class. It was a fantastic experience for him. Not only was he excited about learning, Mr. Matez appeared to take a personal interest in each child. He taught the children to think for themselves and made learning fun. As it should be!! I wish that my younger son had had Mr. Matez although this is in no way a negative reflection on the other teachers at the Freeman/Centennial school. It is unfortunate that elementary and secondary teachers are now forced to "teach to" the MCAS tests. If there could be any sort of compromise which encourages teachers like Mr. Matez (and hopefully others) to employ a different, albeit extremely beneficial, style of teaching, how exciting that would be for our children. I find it very sad that Mr. Matez is no longer teaching in our town. I am in full support of Mr. Matez. My son had him last year and it was such a positive experience. This year he came home from school with urine on his pants. His teacher wouldn't let him go to the bathroom because he should have gone during the party the class was having, at which he drank two glasses of juice. He had to run out of the classroom and wasn't able to make it on time. Mrs. Godfrey said he was lying and defended the teacher vigorously. Typical, as far as I can tell. My kid is in his class and I support him. My vote is to let Mr. Matez go quietly (if he will let us) and find a job in a place that values his sort of teaching. I must say that in most environments, there is a standard operating practice and if you don't work the way your supervisors want you to, you will be out of a job. If you do want a school where the teachers "do their own thing" then that is fine and you must make your desire known in who you elect to the school board, however, think about whether or not you really do want that type of educational institution because if you have a Mr. Matez, you will also have someone whose educational style you don't agree with - and doesn't work - and you may be stuck with it. A huge loss for the town. (the entire town is better off with him) Child was Mr. Matez's class last year. My opinion is that, based on what I have read here, he should have been terminated long ago. Were prior Superintendents/Principals afraid to do this because of the Teachers Union, publicity or for some other reasons? It seems that Mr. Matez would do well as a teacher in a different setting, some type of alternative school. Public elementary school has to adhere to state set guidelines and teachers have to reach a wide variety of students (teach down?). Sad to say, but if parents want their children to have a teacher such as Mr. Matez they need to send their children somewhere other than the public schools. Hi, My son was in Mr. Matez's class this year and he was absolutely better off by having him - he came home excited from school and his self-esteem soared this year (and from the information I have gathered there was not information (the "What" and the "How" sound very intertwined making for confusion) they were missing from the curriculum). People have been saying, in the workforce if you don't do as your boss tells you get fired but I think a successful company (and boss) would be more focused on what works. If they saw something that may not be following the rules but it was producing good results wouldn't they stop and say how might we incorporate this? It's hard to see your child go from saying school was awesome to awful. I currently have a child in Mr. Matez'c class and have a 7th grader who also had him. I believe it is a great loss for the school community, he added a great deal to their lives not only as students were he instilled a love of learning but as people. Eric should grow up and move on. He has never had any intention of doing things any way but his. He forced the administration's hand all along. The spotlight is exactly where he has wanted to be. I had a son in his class unfortunately as well as worked in the same grade level. My son was taken off property without administration or parents being notified, he was bitten by one of Eric's rats and Eric felt it not necessary to send him to the school nurse and he did not monitor my 8 year old's whereabouts. Move on, Eric . . . I believe Mr. Matez should be supported. My children have never had him but my husband and I both volunteer significantly IN the school. This whole thing appears to be all about control. The matriachy that runs F/C are all about rules and doing things my way; the school would be well served to have more male involvement so as to provide different perspective. Isn't different perspective what we want to inspire in a learning environment. This opinion is based on first hand observation. My son is in 3rd grade and had Mr. Matez this year. We are NOT better off without Mr. Matez, we are all diminished by his termination. Thanks a lot for this and the FANTASTIC work on website, what a great service to our town! Yes! You just don't understand unless you've had a kid come home everyday from his class as we did talking about what he did during the day. My child was in Eric Matez's class. He is an asset. He should be reinstated unless documented, measureable, proof can be produced to demonstrate that his students did less well than other Norfolk, or Massachusetts, students on any of the mandated state tests. Our kids are much better off WITH Mr. Matez, but I'm not sure that he is better off with the bully mentality, and narrow-mindedness that flourishes in Norfolk. He would be much better appreciated and compensated in one of our more progressive neighboring communities such as Dover, Sherborne, or Medfield. But, it speaks highly of him that he would still be willing to return for our kids and still try to open their minds to the worlds beyond Norfolk. I had a child in Mr. Matez's class three years ago. I know what kind of person he is, and know that he has the best interests of the children at heart. Although his style is not for everyone, I believe his contribution to the school system and the children of this town is extremely important, and I think it reflects poor judgment and narrow thinking for the administration to terminate him. The school was wrong to terminate him, especially mid-year. It seems that though his mode of teaching did not change, the administration decided to make an example of him this year. I thought the parents of the twins made some good points with their comparisons of teaching styles - and the observation that both children were equally well prepared for 4th grade. There was no need for the administration to escalate the matter and forcibly disrupt the school year for so many. As for the Harry Potter directive - since his class does their HP play for the entire school every spring, I am left wondering why he was told in January (rather than last June) to stop reading the book to the class Past student - better off with. Again, I spent 8 years with Mr. Matez and believe that the pupils benefited to the nth degree. I was there almost daily and know the results. Who else can speak as a participant?? Ask if The pupils like what I did. (not to blow my horn) but to point out the impressions we engendered that have lasted for years. Better Yes, my son had Mr Matez in 3rd grade. He was wonderful! My son loved him and so did we. He should not have lost his job!
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Are our kids better off with Mr. Matez, or without him?
(or do you not care?)
Norfolknet will tally opinions; e-mail