It was a packed house at the Grant County Middle School Gymnasium in Dry Ridge Wednesday afternoon. A special education teacher at the school was honored with the Gold Star Teacher Award at a surprise all-school special assembly.
“This teacher has always gone above and beyond for her students to make each one feel loved and special. She has courage and integrity for the work that she does and a clear passion that shows her love of job and students,” GCMS Principal Jason Frilling said.
Megan Matsumura was one of 300 teachers to receive a nomination, and was the top vote-getter out of 7,000 total votes.
“It just makes me feel really proud. I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t for my students,” Matsumura said.
Matsumura was lauded for going above and beyond for her students. According to an excerpt from her nomination form, an anonymous parent stated her daughter was having a tough time at home. Matsumura took the student under her wing. When the student transitioned into high school, Matsumura attended her first day to make her feel comfortable meeting her new students and peers. She prepared the student for her dances, curled her hair and did her makeup. Matsumura never allowed the student to feel out of place. The excerpt described Matsumura as personable, funny and down to earth.
For her outstanding work in the classroom and community, Gold Star awarded Matsumura a $1,000 donation for her classroom and a Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati educational prize package valued at $750. GCMS received a $500 donation. The student body of GCHS received free Gold Star cheese coney vouchers.
Mutsumura initially didn’t know she wanted to go into special education instruction, but after a positive experience during her senior year of high school, she knew that’s where she wanted to end up.
“I actually had no idea what I wanted to do. At my high school, my senior year, I started peer tutoring,” Matsumura said. “From there, I peer tutored in the Functional Mental Disability classroom and I was pretty much sold on day one.”
Gold Star, in partnership with the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, collaborate each year to name one lucky local teach the Gold Star Teacher Award.
