Mrs. Matus is an amazing preschool teacher who has been teaching for the Fountain Hills Unified School District for 28 years. Because of her marvelous work, her three and four-year-olds receive the foundations of all areas of development and complete her program more than ready for kindergarten.
Mrs. Matus implements the Arizona Early Learning Standards including Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Approaches to Learning, Social Emotional, and Physical Development, Health, & Safety. She and her instructional aide/preschool admin, Lisa Cartagine engage students daily in circle time, centers, and small group instruction. Some of their students are full-day and others are half-day students who come mornings or afternoons only. Mrs. Matus and Mrs. Cartagine manage it all magnificently, from academic instruction, to interaction during social play, to hand-washing and snacks.
Mrs. Matus
's Community Preschool performs for the residents of Fountain View Village three times a year. They love Halloween when they come dressed in their costumes and Easter when they get to search for eggs. The class, AKA Preschool 3 also visits various community organizations or businesses such as the fire department. Mrs. Matus and the entire MMES preschool staff engage families with their music programs twice a year as well as traditions such as the Ice Cream Social and Teddy Bear Parade.
Mrs. Matus
's active participation goes beyond her role as preschool teacher. She tutors students from kindergarten to third grade in our PTO-funded morning lab four days a week. She frequently represents general education at special education preschool meetings for individual students. Mrs. Matus is also a member of our Effective School Plan Committee, Character Counts Committee, and Safety Committee.
Mrs. Matus truly makes a significant difference in the lives and educations of McDowell Mountain's young students.
MMES Preschool teacher, Denise Matus was selected as Four Peaks Rotary Club Teacher of the Month for January and was honored at their January 24 meeting.
