Matthew Childres
e-mail: mchildres@wpcc.edu
My name is Matthew Childres, and this is my story.
As a life-long resident of Burke County, I have always had a love for this area and its people. My parents were both educators; however, I never planned to be a teacher until I arrived at Appalachian State University. I completed my associate’s degree at WPCC, and had plans to work in the information systems industry. I began taking business education and English courses at ASU, and I discovered that my talents and motivation were in teaching. After graduation, I completed my MA in English from East Carolina University. I taught for four years at R.L. Patton High School before teaching for two years at Caldwell Early College High School. While I was teaching at the secondary school level, I was able to be an adjunct English instructor at Mitchell Community College. This inspired me to become a full-time English instructor in the community college system. In July of 2018, my dream became a reality as I began my journey as an English instructor at WPCC.
My tenure as a high school teacher taught me valuable lessons on how to reach students. The experiences I had at Caldwell Early College were especially helpful, as their model of instruction focuses on the student as a citizen and person- not just a test-taker. This type of learning is core to my pedagogy. I always try to maintain positive relationships with my students, and treat them as individual learners.
I am also fortunate enough to work as an adjunct instructor in rhetoric and composition at Appalachian State University. Teaching university students has given me additional ideas and experience to bring to WPCC.
I have a passion for history, literature, and genealogy. My family and I reside here in Morganton, and in my spare time I work on an old Jeep, tend a small farm, and spend quality time with my wife and children.