Rebecca Matherne, principal of New Sarpy Elementary School, was named the 2024 Principal of the Year for St. Charles Parish Public Schools.
Matherne received the news of her award at an informal principals’ meeting on Sept. 13, the day schools reopened after Hurricane Francine. She said she had so much on her mind because of the hurricane she was completely surprised and caught off guard by the announcement.
“When Dr. [Ken] Oertling walked into the Professional Learning Center and shared that he wanted to talk with us, I thought it would be a hurricane recovery update,” Matherne said. “Surprise! After he announced my name, I don’t think I heard anything for the next 20 minutes.”
Matherne, a graduate of Hahnville High School, began her role as principal of New Sarpy Elementary in 2019. Before that, she worked as an assistant principal at Norco Elementary School and at R.K. Smith Middle School. She has taught special education, served as a math coach, and facilitated teaching and learning for a curriculum, instruction and assessment department in St. Charles Parish Public Schools. She has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University.
Matherne said the children of New Sarpy Elementary School inspire her every day.
“One day, they will be our doctors, politicians, builders, healthcare workers, and our educators,” she said. “Education is the profession that creates all others. We get to ensure the foundation for learning in school and in life. What an honor and a privilege.”
She said the most challenging part of her work is that it matters so much. She feels the weight of the responsibility for educating almost 500 children.
“We never ‘arrive,’” Matherne said. “The floor is lava. We are doing great things, but we cannot stay where we are. The world is constantly changing, and we must change with it. It’s a responsibility I do not take lightly.”
The most critical work of New Sarpy educators, Matherne said, is teaching literacy.
“When children don’t learn to read, the path is blocked for every other subject,” she said. “So much of what influences success at upper elementary school, middle school, high school, and in life originates in our children’s primary school years. We have to get this right.”
She said illiteracy brings a number of challenges to the future of children, including decreased academic performance, behavioral disruptions, high dropout rate, poor employment prospects, and poverty.
Matherne contributes her success to her commitment to being a life-long learner.
“It is imperative that I am a lead learner,” she said. “I cannot expect our educators to continuously learn if I am not doing so myself.”
She said she spends time reading educational blogs, newsletters, and professional development books and that she also attends regional and national conferences to continue learning. She said she is proud of the all-in approach of faculty.
“Our core business is teaching and learning, and our educators believe they have the ability to make a difference for all students,” she said.
Matherne believes the school must nurture children’s minds and hearts, and she said it is a school-wide effort to promote cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy and self-control (C.A.R.E.S.).
“We are a part of building these tiny humans to have grit and to care deeply about those around them,” she said. “These skills can impact our children’s peers, parents, families, communities, and our society well beyond our lifetime. Imagine the ripple this can cause, and we are fortunate to be a part of this great work right here at New Sarpy Elementary.”
The faculty and administration at New Sarpy value the parents, guardians, grandparents and the many other relatives impacting a child’s life, Matherne said.
“I want them to know that our educators work hard every day for every child, care deeply about the success of our children, and appreciate family support,” she said.
