Horan teaches virtually

With more than 60 new teachers and staff members this year, Wingspan is trying to introduce people to some of the new faces. While most students see teachers in person on a regular basis, Pre-AP Geometry teacher Matthew Horan may only be seen on a computer screen as most of his teaching is done online. Wingspan sat down with Horan to see how the year is going.

Wingspan: How different is it interacting with students online compared to in a classroom?

Horan: “It’s tremendously different. In many ways I feel like I’m a first year teacher, trying to figure out how to call on students, getting different procedures, everything. The fact that I’ve taught before and I know the content has been helpful, but it’s a totally different way. I’m just getting used to it. I’ve even tried a few things that I haven’t tried before. I’m going to continue to experiment however, find best how my students respond to it.”

Wingspan: Where did you teach previously and what did you teach?

Horan: “I taught in Dallas ISD at Hillcrest. I taught Pre-AP Algebra 2. The year before I was at Spruce High School in Pleasant Grove and I taught Pre-AP Pre-Calculus, AQR, and I was also the Math Department Chair.”

Wingspan: How would you compare this school to your previous schools thus far?

Horan: “It’s tremendously different as well. It’s much more supportive and collaborative here. The administration as well as the other teachers are much more magnanimous with helping out. I certainly needed it considering how new this whole experience has been for me. It’s just been wonderful being here and I’m happy with the role I’m in.”

Wingspan: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of school?

Horan: “I’m a Kentucky basketball fan, I like to watch them. I root for the Mets, the Giants, the Knicks are awful, so I just end up watching the NBA Playoffs. I try to stay connected with teachers from Teach for America. They still live in Dallas and I try to keep in touch with them since our commitment ended a year and a half ago now. I like to go back to New York when I can as well. I typically spend a few weeks there in the summer.”

Wingspan: Where did you grow up?

Horan: “I grew up in Long Island and I try to go home for a few weeks during the summer since it’s the greatest city in the world.”

Wingspan: What college did you go to and why?

Horan: “ I went to NYU for college and I went to Nassau Community College which is right in Long Island. I have just stayed around the same 30 to 40 mile radius from the middle of Nassau county my whole life.”

Wingspan: Do you have a favorite sports player and why?

Horan: “I’ve come around on LeBron James. I didn’t mind that he went to Miami, I didn’t like how he handled it. Most people criticized him for that, but for him to come back from 3-1 down was extremely impressive, how could you not be impressed by that. Any of the J.J. Barea’s, shout out to Dallas there, Steph Curry, anybody who is exceeding in a role that they are just not physically designed to perform well. Of course, the New York Giants Odell Beckham with his one-handed catches are insane. David Wright for the New York Mets, because he certainly could’ve left and got traded to a contender, but he didn’t and I appreciate when players do that.”

Wingspan: What brought you to Texas?

Horan: “Teach for America. I grew up in Long Island. I have just stayed around the same 30 to 40 mile radius from the middle of Nassau County my whole life. It’s the greatest city in the world, I love it, but I was a consultant in New York City and quite frankly I was just getting bored with it and all the corporate outreach and Martial Clinic where I worked was all education based so that just built up my resume and I did it for a year, I loved it. Different things mentoring students, reading with students I was just like let me apply for Teach for America. I put either Dallas, Vegas, or San Diego those were the three main choices I had and I got put in Dallas and I really like the city and I love being in Texas.”

Wingspan: What is your favorite food and what type of food?

Horan: “My favorite type of food is New York pizza. There is good pizza in Dallas, but New York is great. The bagels in New York are unique. You can get good pizza anywhere, but you cannot get good bagels anywhere as far as I’m concerned or have seen. Being here in Texas I love that there’s BBQ and burgers everywhere. I eat that stuff all the time. I try to stay low carb, so the pizza is a cheat, a once a week thing, so I just pile it on.”

Wingspan: What college did you go to and why?

Horan: “ I went to NYU for college and I went to Nassau Community College which is right in Long Island. I have just stayed around the same 30 to 40 mile radius from the middle of Nassau county my whole life.”