MATTHEW STEM

Matthew Stem is the Deputy Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. He assumed this role in the spring of 2015 and is responsible for the management and oversight of all programs related to K to 12 education for the 1.74 million students in Pennsylvania. These include oversight and funding of basic education, special education, career and technical education, federal programs and safe schools as well as all associated statutes and regulations.

Mr. Stem and his team have worked closely with stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth to build networks around such key issues as STEM education and career readiness. He has also supervised the preparation of Pennsylvania’s ESSA Consolidated State Plan which was approved by the U.S. Department of Education in January 2018. As part of the state’s ESSA plan, Mr. Stem is leading efforts to develop Pennsylvania’s new strategies to provide support and assistance to schools identified as needing comprehensive support and improvement.

Prior to joining the Department, Mr. Stem served directly in school systems for 22 years as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Millersville University and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Temple University. He lives with his wife and two children in Lancaster County.