In the bustling halls of education, Matt Howe is not your average educator. He is a well-known and respected teacher who has been impacting the high school for 21 years.
Howe was a Northview student from grades K-12. He then graduated from Michigan State University (MSU), went to Florida for a first teaching gig, and then went back to Grand Rapids, where he was hired by his alma mater. He started his career in English in 2002 and then moved to social studies a decade later. He is now teaching both. Meeting his wife at the high school as a student himself, they now have four children: two graduates and two current students who have also spent their time in these walls.
Although originally starting with his passions in history, he has gradually become the face of a multitude of classes throughout the school.
“I’m teaching Journalism one [and] two in [the same] hour,” Howe said. “Then I’m teaching creative writing, yearbook and U.S. history.”
Teaching five different classes can be a lot but Howe goes above and beyond by also being the head of the social studies department. He checks in with other teachers and plays the role as a “relay man” when needed, but that’s not the full extent of his responsibilities.
“Once every two months, there’s meetings with the admin, we are supposed to be a liaison. They bring stuff to us that they’re thinking about for our department or what they want us to do,” Howe said. “It’s like a chain of command, if a fellow social studies teacher is having an issue in the classroom, needs help, has a question [or] wants some supplies, they come to me and I’m the guy who figures out how to help them get what they [need].”
Being there for his fellow teachers is a breeze for Howe as he is close with his coworkers. Social studies teacher Emily Coscarelli is tight with Howe. He was her mentor at the start of her teaching career while she was still learning about the school.
“[I] love him. He’s very supportive, he’s very kind. He’s always willing to go to bat for me and make sure that my needs are met,” Coscarelli said. “He’s helped me create boundaries [and] separate myself from an issue so that way I don’t internalize it or make it about me when it’s really their issue.”
In the same way Howe is there for his fellow teachers, he is also a huge help to students in his classes. Junior Addison Venno, who is in his United States [U.S] History class, goes to Howe when in need due to his caring nature.
“If I ever have anything where I can’t turn something in or I can’t take the test because of something [happening] he’s like, [that’s] okay,” Venno said.
Being there for his students and coworkers isn’t the only thing on his mind. During the school year, he is seen busy hustling with grading and class plans, and it does not stop when the bell rings, as he is also a coach for four school sports.
“I go from boys JV [Junior Varsity] tennis for the high school, then that ends and it goes to girls middle school swimming,” Howe said. “Then boys middle school swimming, then to co-ed middle school tennis when the snow melts.”
Having his day consist of teaching, coaching and parenting, Howe’s lifestyle can become a big weight to carry. Although it can get stressful, he has found a way to balance this life during summertime, bringing in the real fun.
“I do not have personal free time, it’s something I’m working on in life. I am very good in the summer. There’s two Howe’s, Mr. Howe and Summer Howie,” Howe said. “[I] wake up every day for nine months of the year at 5:45 A.M. Work until six or seven at night, doing, grading, planning, trying to make dinners for my family [and] staying healthy in the relationships that are important to me.”
Although his schedule is busy, he loves the students he gets to meet and share “2%” of their life in a school year. He has spread his knowledge and kind words while also helping those in need including the school. When having a hard time finding teachers for classes struggling Howe stepped up and took responsibility for the students that love these courses.
“Yearbook was given to me when the previous person was struggling with it. Journalism was started and was someone else’s baby,” Howe said. “I had never [done journalism], it was [something] I had to teach myself but this teacher went to another school and it was going to die so they came and the students asked me, will you be the host?”
His love for the school and the students who come to it keeps Howe driven to continue being a spectacular teacher. Howe shines as a dedicated educator, mentor and leader by teaching these diverse array of subjects. His unwavering commitment and passion leave an enduring impact on the school community, showing his dedication and compassion in education.
