Her own three R's for Education ~ React and Respond to Children with Respect ~ is embodied in the successful discipline program she created and implemented in several Nashville-area schools called "The Triple P" (Preventive, Productive, and Positive Approach).

Mrs. Magness is, simply put, a teacher of teachers. She co-authored a learning strategies workshop, entitled "Hooked on Learning", which has been presented locally, statewide and at the National Middle School Conference in Indianapolis. Additionally, she was appointed one of seven mentors for all new teachers in the Metropolitan Nashville (TN) School System. In this role, she helped pilot a program called PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership and Support).

As assistant principal at Cumberland Elementary School in Nashville, her mantra to her teachers was "Think Fast, Work Hard, Love True, Laugh Loud and make a difference in the life of a child." A former first runner-up for "Metro's Middle School Teacher of the Year," Mrs. Magness has taught every grade ranging from kindergarten through fifth.

Her philosophy on teaching is quite simple. She is committed to helping each student set personal goals and strive to reach them no matter how difficult. Consistency is the key. In a structured and well-disciplined environment, we celebrate personal best.

"All of the grammar rules, math facts and historical events are simply junk food to the brain unless children believe in themselves. Everyone has value and I believe that educators must nourish each child with the belief that ‘I can!’ If children believe they can and you show them they can, then they will!"

Susan Hawkins, Fine Arts Director and Program Assistant
Mrs. Susan Hawkins was a student of Florida State University and a graduate of the University of Louisville (KY), where she was awarded "Outstanding Student Teacher in Music Education." Just a few years later, she was awarded "Teacher of the Year", while teaching at Melrose Park Elementary in Lake City, Florida.

In her 17 years teaching experience, Mrs. Hawkins demonstrated not only her skill as an energetic musician, but also mastery at integrating other subjects into the music curriculum. "I search for ways to 'hook' my students into their participation and involvement in the learning process. I love it when it works! I enjoy letting the children learn from each other."

Michele Donnelly, Administrative Assistant
Michele Donnelly has been the school's administrative assistant for 7 years.  After receiving her B.S. degree from Middle Tennessee State University, Mrs. Donnelly held administrative positions at Veterinary Associates of Murfreesboro and the former Nashville based McClures department store.  Mrs. Donnelly loves children and ejoys the variety of hats she wears for St. Matthew.  She has assisted in coaching the fifth and sixth grade volleyball team for two years and makes regular appearances as the Cursive Writing Fairy and the Tooth Fairy.  She and her husband, Butch, have been married twelve years and have one daughter.

Kim Proctor, Kindergarten

Kim joins our SMS family to teach those adorable kindergarteners.  She has taught all ages of elementary school children for over 10 years.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where she received her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and her Masters of Science in curriculum and instruction. 

Kim and her husband Mark have been members of St. Matthew Church for nine years and have three children, two of which attend St. Matthew School.  Kim is willing to go to any means necessary to teach her students in the way that they learn best to ensure they have the confidence and strategies needed to become a self-directed learner.  Kim believes every child is a unique gift from God with many talents.

Marguerite Wilson, Kindergarten
Marguerite Wilson, one of our SMS Kindergarten teachers, has 14 years of teaching experience, earned her bachelor degree from Wayne State University (MI) and has done postgraduate work in elementary education at Cabrini College (PA), and Trevecca Nazarene University (TN).  In her previous career, she worked as a licensed occupational therapist.

Kathy Davis, Kindergarten Assistant
Mrs. Kathy Davis has 8 years of experience teaching younger students.  She has been a kindergarten assistant at St. Matthew for five years.  In addition to three years of preschool teaching, Mrs. Davis was a COMPU-CHILD preschool instructor. She traveled to various daycare centers and taught children basic computer skills using fun, yet educational, software.

Kathy earned her undergraduate degree in Telecommunications from Kent State University in Ohio. She attended there on a four year full athletic scholarship for gymnastics. During her career there, she was named to the All Mid-American Conference Team.

Kathy provides support and assistance to Mrs. Proctor and Mrs. Wilson with both kindergarten classes, helping children grow academically, spiritually and socially.

Carmen Lampley, Kindergarten Assistant

Carmen Lampley is a kindergarten assistant who comes to us with 6 years experience teaching toddlers and two year olds at Harpeth Heights Pre-School.  She received her associates degree in early childhood education from Nashville State Community College and is working on her bachelors degree at Tennessee State University.

Having attended St. Cecilia Academy, she believes strongly in Catholic education.  She has been a member of St. Matthew Church for most of her life and even remembers attending Mass in the Cohan-Hansom Building.

Carmen and husband, Mitch, have four children who attend St. Matthew School.  When asked how she likes it here, she responded, “Oh, I just love it”.

Sherrie Hill, First Grade

Sherrie is a 1987 graduate of Father Ryan High School.  She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Middle Tennessee State University and her master’s degree in curriculum instruction from Cumberland University.  Sherrie has taught students for 14 years in Metro and Williamson Counties.  She has also received her certificate to teach gifted students through an intense differentiation of instruction program.

Sherrie is proud to be an SMS faculty member.  She believes it is a blessing to teach the “whole” child by fostering spirituality and a knowledge of the Catholic faith.  Her goals for her students are to instill within them a love for learning and provide them with the necessary tools to become life long learners.

Cindy Burns, First Grade  
Cindy Burns received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Jacksonville State University, and earned a Master of Education degree from Belmont University, where she was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society.  Having taught 12 years at Harpeth Heights Pre-school, Cindy arrived at SMS with the highest recommendation. 

Cindy has distinguished herself in enthusiasm and professionalism and students have thrived under her leadership.  She is a wonderful addition to our St. Matthew faculty.

Pat McKinley, Second Grade
Pat McKinley has chalked up 25 plus years of classroom experience to share with her second graders. Armed with an undergraduate degree from Caldwell College, Mrs. McKinley also earned two master's degrees, one from William Paterson University in Early Childhood Education and the other from Vanderbilt University. Work on her most recent master’s included a specialization in Literacy and Learning.

Believing that literature should be incorporated with other subjects, she has developed an integrated approach in the classroom. Mrs. McKinley has also helped train student teachers and developed workshops for teachers, including "Using Literature in the Classroom" and "Writing and its Connection to Reading".

Having taught second grade in both public and Catholic schools, Mrs. McKinley is no stranger to First Communion preparation. As a member of the liaison committee on the Parish Council, she helped plan Communion preparation for religious education students.

Her approach to instruction clearly goes beyond academics. "We can also celebrate a child's willingness to share, to cooperate, to be helpful and to work extra hard. These areas develop Christian character, not simply high academic achievers."

Charlene Crace, Second Grade
Charlene Crace brings 13 years teaching experience to our SMS family. Charlene graduated from George Peabody College for Teachers (now Vanderbilt) with a double major in Elementary Education and Special Education. She taught Special Education in Cumberland County, TN. She has been married 32 years to Don and together they have raised four daughters. While home with her daughters, she subbed and volunteered in their schools. She also taught Vacation Bible School and Religious Education at Holy Family Catholic Church.  Eventually, she went back to teaching Title I part time with Nashville's Metro Schools.  She returned to full time teaching second grade at St. Edwards for seven years.  This is her third year at St. Matthew.

Mary Ann Beavin, Third Grade
Mary Ann Beavin, has acquired a variety of teaching experiences in her 20 years as an educator. She has taught pre-K, first and third grades, as well as serving as a curriculum director. She is a graduate of Father Ryan High School, received her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Middle Tennessee State University, and holds a masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Trevecca Nazarene University.

She and her family have been long-time parishioners of St. Matthew Church. Catholic Education is very important to her and her family.  She is committed to educating her students and her own children in this Christ-centered environment.  Mrs. Beavin says, "Knowledge opens the door to wonderful experiences, but it is our faith that guides the journey."

Paula Harris, Fourth Grade

Paula joined the faculty as a 4^th grade teacher and 7^th grade grammar and writing instructor.  She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in English.  She has an M.A. in comparative literature from the University of California Riverside (UCR) with concentrations in Russian, English and German language and literature.

Paula has 10 years of teaching experience at a variety of levels: elementary, high school and college.  She was a two-time recipient of the Outstanding Teaching Assistant in the Department of Literature and Language at UCR.  She taught at Father Ryan High School for seven years, primarily in American Literature, AP English and Theatre.

Paula believes that students learn best when they are active participants in the learning process.  By teaching process skills, she hopes to encourage her students to continue to explore and discover new ideas beyond the classroom and to become lifelong learners.

Molly Grisham, Director of Computer Science Work Center

Molly Grisham comes to us with a B.S. degree in broadcasting from Belmont University and a Master’ in Communication from the University of Illinois.  In 2001, she returned to Nashville as a computer and physical education instructor, assistant athletic director, head soccer coach and webmaster at St. Cecilia Academy. Most recently, she was a speech and web instructor at Nashville State Community College.

Molly promotes computer literacy for students in grades 3-8. Her goal is to help them gain computer skills to support their work in every area of the curriculum. 

Marcia is the school librarian and media specialist.  She received her degree in elementary education with a minor in early childhood education and development from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.  She has taught elementary students for 23 years and is a charter faculty member of SMS having taught kindergarten for six years.

Marcia recently attended the TN Library Association Conference in Chattanooga where she became more familiar with how to get teenagers back into the library.  She created a middle school reading lounge for grades 5-8 to enjoy.

Marcia is a strong believer in encouraging students to love literature no matter the genre.  She believes it is her job to get all the students at St. Matthew “wild about books.”