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Finding his niche

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Contributed by: William Bond on 1/28/2008

Editor's note: Visit our Faces of Arvada and Wheat Ridge page, where YourHub.com staff and readers can introduce you to more people who make this part of the metro area what it is.

From the minute Pennington Elementary Principal Matt Cormier walked into his new school, he knew he's found his niche - his new home.

"I hope I can stay here for the next twenty years. The staff, the students, the parents, everybody is just wonderful."

Matt was a middle school teacher for several years and then started working on obtaining his principal's licenses. His first assignment is Pennington. The school's instructional coach, Cindy Branson, describes Matt like this, "He's just wonderful, and his ability to learn is incredible. In just one year he's learned all about elementary curriculum and instruction. I've worked with some of the best in Jeffco and he is definitely the best administrator I've worked with."

Walk around with Matt and it won't be very long until he looks a student in the eye, puts his hand over his heart, and uses his favorite phrase, "That warms my heart." Matt says kids can connect behavior and achievements with how it makes their hearts and others' feel.

He also get lots of hugs. Lots of hugs!

"It's the job of the principal. You must get fifty hugs a day. At least. And it makes you feel REALLY good!"

Instructional Coach Branson, summed it up like this: "Matt reminds me of that movie with Jack Nicholson where he turns to Helen Hunt and says, 'You make me want to be a better man.' That's how Matt makes us feel. He makes us want to be the best we can be."

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Submitted By: Seth Davis

posted on 1/29/2008 @ 3:12:15 PM

Rated Story

Having met Matt before, I agree with Cindy Branson's comments. He seems like he'd be good at connecting with students.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

William Bond

Lakewood , CO

William Bond has posted 136 stories and 1 comment since joining on 1/30/2006. William Bond 's average story rating is 5.

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