Welcome to your
8th Grade School Year!
8th Grade School Year!
My name is Mr. Kurilla and I am excited for this new year in 8th grade at the Abington Middle School! While growing up in middle and high school I was very involved in music and knew that I wanted to work with kids. I didn't foresee a career in Music Education, so at the University of Delaware I pursued my undergraduate degree in Elementary Teacher Education.
Growing up in and around Philadelphia, I truly appreciated and loved the local history that was well known, but also enjoyed digging deeper to find stories that were not as well-known and often were not found in my textbooks. So in determining my concentration, I chose Middle School Social Studies. I had hoped to get a job teaching 8th grade American History.
After graduation I was lucky enough to find that job at Abington Junior High (now the Abington Middle School!) Ever since then I have been teaching American History. And one of the things I first tell my classes about American History - it isn't always pretty. There are hard things to discuss that affect our country and us as individuals to this day. But, I always have emphasized that recognizing the past, addressing and discussing it, and engaging in these conversations is necessary for us to grow.
Other than teaching at the Middle School, I have spent time in my community running an all-volunteer foundation for a number of years, singing and performing in community musical ensembles, teaching across the country as a clinician for student leaders in marching bands, and I have worked with the marching band at the Senior High as well. I try to keep myself busy and engaged with reading, traveling, and spending time with my friends.
I'm looking forward to this school year!
Email: matthewkurilla@abington.k12.pa.us
Students
During Class:
Send me a comment through our Google Classroom.
During School Hours when we are not in class together:
Send me an email. Make sure you include your fist and last name & class period, details about your concern/question. I will do my best to answer it by the end of the day.
After School Hours
Send me an email. Make sure you include your fist and last name & class period, details about your concern/question. I will do my best to answer it by the end of the day but realize that emails sent later in the day may not be answered until the next day.
Parents
Send me an email. Make sure you include your child's fist and last name & class period, and details about your concern/question. I will do my best to answer it by the end of the day but realize that emails sent later in the day may not be answered until the next day.