My name is Matt Jackson, and I am beyond excited to join Langston this year as a sixth and eighth grade mathematics teacher!

I grew up in Northern California before attending The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, California to receive my degree and teaching credential. Fresh out of college, I started my teaching career in sixth grade at a private school teaching all subjects. After a few years of teaching, I obtained my Master’s in Educational Management and my Administrative Services credential. Following these certifications, I served as a principal at the same private school for eight years. During my years as principal, I helped expand the school from an elementary only program to kindergarten through eighth grade.

While I enjoyed my years in administration, it was just not the same as working with students in the classroom. In 2014, I made the decision to transition out of administration and return to the classroom at a charter school similar to Langston in Petaluma, California to teach accelerated seventh grade math, science, and robotics. Returning to the classroom has been a true joy, as I particularly enjoy the opportunity to mentor and impact students on a daily basis.

Up until January of 2021, I had lived my entire life in the state of California. While this provided some amazing memories and experiences for me and my family, my wife and I came to the decision in the fall of 2020 that we would like to raise our family in a different place. After much consideration and prayer, we landed on Greenville as the place we wanted to be. Sooner than expected, a wonderful job opportunity presented itself (Mauldin Middle School), and we arrived in Greenville for good in January of 2021. Four kids, two cats, thirty-nine hours of driving…in four days and three nights. I wouldn’t recommend such a rigorous cross country trip! Since arriving in Greenville, I have spent time teaching sixth and eighth grade mathematics at Mauldin Middle School, along with serving as the youth pastor at my church  for two years.

I am blessed to be married to my best friend and beautiful wife Katie for the past twenty-one years. She is also a phenomenal educator, who has stepped away from the classroom for a time to pour herself into raising our four kids. We have a seventeen year-old daughter, a fifteen year-old son, and twelve year-old twins. As a family, we enjoy playing board games, going on hikes, serving at our church, eating ice cream, and watching Dude Perfect and Ryan Trahan videos. Aside from being with my family and working with the middle schoolers at my church, I personally enjoy running, collecting NES games, and watching my favorite sports teams (Arsenal Football Club, LSU Tigers, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco 49ers, and Golden State Warriors). While I have no dog in the fight, it does make me smile when South Carolina defeats Clemson in any sport. Sorry Clemson fans!

I am thrilled to be a part of the Langston community and to get to know all of you in the days and months ahead!