Bringing Friendly Competition to the Classroom
Step into Matthew Thomas’ 4th grade English classroom at Adam-Young Elementary, and you’ll immediately notice the vibrant sports-themed decor on the walls. But it’s not just for show—Thomas uses it to inspire a spirit of friendly competition, encouraging his students to compete not only against each other but, more importantly, against themselves.
“I challenge my students to be a little better today than they were yesterday,” Thomas explains. This mindset is at the heart of his teaching philosophy, fostering a growth mindset that motivates students to push beyond their limits.
Cultivating a Love for Reading
In his first year at Adam-Young Elementary, Thomas is laser-focused on developing lifelong readers. “One of my favorite quotes is, ‘Everyone’s a reader. Not everyone has found their book yet,’” he shares. His goal is to help students discover that one book that will ignite their passion for reading.
One of the standout features of Adam-Young Elementary, according to Thomas, is its library. “The previous school where I taught didn’t have a library. Library time is so important to expose students to different types of books to explore. The variety of books and reading levels available in the AYE library is so beneficial to them.”
Thomas recognizes the impact that access to diverse literature can have on a child’s educational journey. It’s this commitment to nurturing curious minds that makes his classroom a vibrant learning environment.
Leading the Charge for Girls’ Basketball
Outside the classroom, Thomas is making waves as the head coach of the Lincoln-King High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball team. With seven years of teaching and coaching experience and a degree from the University of Michigan, he brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the role.
Thomas believes it’s an important time for women’s sports. “Girls want to feel like their program is as important as the boys,” he says. “The girls’ programs matter—you can see the shift in the way the world is looking at women’s basketball. If it’s happening at the professional and collegiate level, we want it to trickle down to the high school level.”
But his vision doesn’t stop at the high school level. Thomas is actively connecting with Cornerstone’s elementary and middle school basketball programs to create a cohesive athletic journey. His aim is to prepare young athletes for the next level while providing them with unique opportunities and experiences.
“The end goal is to build all of our programs to the point where they all can compete at the top of their respective leagues, win championships, help prepare our kids for their next level, and help expand the Cornerstone district with girls basketball,” he explains.
Why Cornerstone?
With numerous teaching and coaching opportunities available, why did Thomas choose Cornerstone? For him, the answer was simple—it felt like home.
“Once I met (LKHS Athletic Director) Marcus Green, I knew this is where God guided me to be,” he shares. “The Complete Life mission is how I look to God in my own life. Of course, we all want to win games, but the most important thing is building the complete student. If I have students who leave my program better than they came in—as a student, in their character, and as an asset to the world—then I feel like I’ve been successful.”
Matthew Thomas is not just teaching English or coaching basketball—he’s inspiring the next generation to be their best selves, both in the classroom and on the court. Follow the Girls’ Basketball team on Instagram and check out their game schedule on the LKHS athletics website.
At Cornerstone, educators like Thomas are building champions in life. And it all starts with a little friendly competition.