In over 33 years with Fairfax County Public Schools, Joyce A. Matthews has been a fourth, sixth, and eight grade teacher. Among her accomplishments, she has served as the Civics Department Chair at Walt Whitman Middle School, Mount Vernon Pyramid Technology Specialist, School Based Technology Specialist for Riverside Elementary and Fort Belvoir Elementary, Testing Coordinator for Walt Whitman Middle School, and XSTREAM Programs Manager for both Walt Whitman Middle School and Braddock Elementary School. Matthews has also served as a Staff Development and Training Instructor and VEXIQ Robotics Trainer and Sponsor.

Matthews specializes in teaching science and technology and is skilled in developing dynamic lessons that recognize and encompass diverse learning styles; emphasize hands on learning; and connects to students’ everyday lives and interests. She is innovative in her lessons and reaches out to the community to enhance opportunities for her students. In 2013, she approached the education staff at George Washington’s Mount Vernon who helped as she developed a Google earth project with her students who re-imagined and redesigned George Washington’s 18^th century outbuildings and presented their findings to their parents and families at Fort Belvoir Elementary school.

After receiving her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership in 2008, Matthews enhanced her efforts to ensure academic achievement for all students regardless of their socio-economic status. Through her efforts, students at Braddock Elementary school have had a variety of opportunities (i.e., Microsoft Coding, Pearl Project, KAST, DC STEM, USA Science and Engineering Festival, XSTEM School events, Women In Technology, VEXIQ Robotics) either during school hours or after school.

Additionally, Matthews places a strong emphasis on inclusion and empowering the community including teachers, parents, students, and business partners, to take responsibility and accept accountability for student learning. Through this mandate, she has had tremendous success in building financial resources and community support for schools, students, and teachers.