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Why Shakespeare Circle? Why Scary Man Studio?
My name is Matthew Dicks, and this is my ninth year at Wolcott School and my eighth year teaching third grade.
I graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut in 1999 with a BA in English and Creative Writing and received my teaching degree at Saint Joseph College at the same time. I also received an Associates Degree from Manchester Community College, the finest college to which I have ever attended. I'm currently working on my Master's Degree, in English at Trinity, and in educational technology at American Intercontinental University.
Before making it to college, I held a
number of different positions, including bank manager, restaurant manager, and
marketing strategist, but none of those jobs were nearly as rewarding to me as
these past few years have been. In 2005 I was named the West Hartford
Teacher of the Year, and later in the year I was named as one of three finalists
for Connecticut Teacher of the Year. It was quite an honor for myself and
my school. 
I live in West Hartford in a lovely apartment with my dog, Kaleigh (my best friend), two huge house cats (Jack and Owen), and my wife and colleague Elysha Dicks, who teaches 5th grade in our school. We were married on July 15th of last year and spent 10 days honeymooning in Bermuda. Pink beaches, good books, fabulous dinners, and a swim with the dolphins were just a few of the highlights. We even found some time to play chess! It was quite a busy and memorable summer. Check out the photos from our engagement and the wedding!
In addition to teaching, I own a DJ company,
Jam Packed Dance Floor DJ's, and
entertain at weddings throughout the state with my partner and best friend (the
human one, not Kaleigh). I am also an aspiring writer and have managed to publish a few pieces in the
Hartford Courant, the
Houston Chronicle,
Education Leadership,
Beginnings magazine, and on
the LA
Times/Washington Post wire service.
I
just finished my first novel and am in the process of getting it published.
I've begun work on my second novel, and I’m also working on a book to help
educators better engage their students. I've also been known to write a
children’s story now and then, so my students are often subjected my latest
inspiration and creation.
When not teaching, reading, writing, or DJ'ing a wedding, I have many hobbies. I love to play basketball, golf, poker, and I work out at the gym with Mrs. Dicks quite a lot. I also like to eat! I run every morning with my dog and play with her a great deal.
I continue to learn a great deal about web design and video editing and am working on several projects in these areas, including our wedding video. I'm also working on my annual Scary Halloween Movie, which premiers during the Costume Parade at our school.
I also run a bi-annual race about Connecticut modeled after CBS's The Amazing Race called The A-Mattzing Race, and this keeps me busy planning and coordinating the next event.
I don't sleep very much!
