This simple, poignant moment tells you much about Inderkum High School English teacher Melissa Mathews:
Interviewing for this story, her eyes teared-up when she spoke of a teenage girl who has donated 106 hours of her time this year to a local elementary school – nearly four times the total required to meet her Senior Project requirement. “That’s powerful,” she said of the student’s accomplishment.
Mathews coordinates Inderkum’s Senior Project program, serving as a conduit for students to give back to the community and then write about it. They spend time at Loaves and Fishes to St. John’s Shelter, Heart for the Hungry, North Natomas Library, Front Street Animal Shelter, Discovery Museum, elderly care facilities, hospice programs, boys and girls clubs, and numerous other nonprofits.
“I love getting them connected because I think it’s the most authentic learning we do all year, being out in the real world, doing things for people,” Mathews said. “That’s pretty empowering, to be part of service like that. … People really appreciate them being there. And it’s a pretty powerful thing for a student to recognize the fulfillment of learning how to serve.”
Every year, she introduces the Senior Project requirement to students with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King: “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.”
Mathews always has been drawn to public service in her own life, particularly activities related to the Natomas church where her husband serves as pastor.
Born in Louisiana and raised in Arkansas, Mathews laughingly admits that she — like many Southerners – is a big football fan who loves to cook. Her four grown children and husband of nearly 28 years are her pride and joy. Her nickname in high school was “Mother Melissa” because of her take-charge disposition.
“My sister teases that no matter what I’m doing, I always act like I know what I’m doing, whether I do or not,” she said, laughing.
Mathews, who has taught since 2005, chose teaching for a career because it gave her more flexibility to raise her own children. Once she began teaching, she said, she realized it was her life’s calling.
“Melissa is great at connecting with students,” Principal Dan Motherspaw said. “As the Senior Projects coordinator, she connects students with service opportunities to help our kids give back to the community and reflect on the process. She is also a teacher leader, serving as Department Chair and (accreditation) chair.”
To Mathews, English is the subject she teaches, but kids are her passion. She wants Inderkum students to leave her class at the end of the year feeling wanted, important, and confident they can accomplish big things.
“If a kid walks out of my room believing they’re valuable and cared for and loved, they can possibly show that to others now, because they’ve experienced it,” she said.
