Renate Matthews
Creative Innovator
Renate Matthews teaches business classes at Lincoln-King High School and is the facilitator of Cornerstone’s award-winning DECA group. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.
Ms. Matthews’ Principal, Andy Anuzis, says, “Ms. Matthews’ peers will tell you she is a consummate professional. Her steady and warm style, coupled with the excellent DECA business curriculum and experiences, bring a lot of life and energy to the school. Some of her DECA students made it to state finals this year, and in general, she helps her students cultivate a positive future vision for themselves and to develop their leadership abilities.”
What’s your best memory of your own school days?
Being a DECA member of course! As a senior at Cass Tech, I competed in the entrepreneurship event and won first place in Districts, 2nd place in States, and I attended the International Conference in Orlando, Florida. I didn’t win in Florida, but I had the time of my life enjoying all of the attractions that Orlando had to offer.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that my passion for teaching goes beyond the classroom and into the deaf and hard of hearing community, as well as teaching Women & Wealth Retirement seminars.
What’s your professional superpower?
My professional superpower is planting seeds of empowerment so that one day, hopefully in the near future, my students will emerge as individuals who take good care of themselves, enjoy life, and then encourage others while planting their own seeds of empowerment…and they continue the cycle.
How do you empower your students to live their complete life?
By first helping them to realize their gifts and their passions, and then showing them how to set and achieve related goals that will prepare them to become successful intrapreneurs or entrepreneurs.
What’s the one word your students would use to describe you?
Helpful