Meet Molly Matz, Making Students Active Partners in Their Education at The Harley School

Molly is a dual-certified general and special education teacher with a background in elementary education. Her journey into teaching started with a childhood affinity for playing the role of a teacher.

Homeschooled until college, Molly’s interest in teaching was sparked during a Waldorf weekend event, where creative play and action were emphasized over rote memorization. Inspired, she promptly enrolled in college the next day to begin her teaching degree.

Molly appreciates The Harley School’s grassroots approach, where teachers and students drive initiatives, fostering a collaborative and student-focused environment. She values the community’s openness to sharing ideas and working collectively towards student success.

Looking ahead, Molly is excited about the Grade 2’s Twoville Post Office project, a student-driven initiative that allows children to take on real responsibilities and learn about tasks like mail transport, letter writing, and task management. It’s a hands-on experience fostering responsibility and community engagement.

Molly’s first Grade 2 Creekwalk at Harley in the early fall was a joyful exploration of nature with her students, integrating subjects like geography and science through activities like crayfish-catching, counting, measuring, and documenting (citizen science) and Japanese fish art rubbings (Gyotaku). 

During the full Stream Life unit, students made insightful connections about the importance of breathing for all living things, prompting reflections on the air’s composition. Additionally, they delved into the intricacies of life cycles, discussing the evolution and growth processes of various organisms. The exploration expanded to understanding river structures, water flow, and the water cycle, with a focus on how streams take on distinct shapes through erosion. The students also engaged in a geographical perspective, examining the Grand Canyon and its formation as part of their broader study.

Her teaching philosophy centers on making students active participants in their learning. Molly sees herself as a facilitator, providing a buffet of knowledge for students to choose from and shape their understanding collaboratively.

Reflecting on her favorite memory so far, Molly enjoys spontaneous, student-led assemblies that build a sense of community within the Lower School.

What makes Grade 2 at Harley special, according to Molly, is the collaborative spirit among the teaching team and the students’ readiness for exploration. With foundational academic skills in place, the students are eager to delve into more complex concepts while maintaining their openness and enthusiasm for learning.

Molly’s commitment to building a positive community and her familiarity with student-centered learning make her a terrific addition to The Harley School. Her main goal is to collaborate, inspire, and contribute to the flourishing journey of each Grade 2 student. Welcome to The Harley family!