Brentwood Eagles Teacher Feature: Julia Mattie

March 14, 2023

McGrath Elementary School fourth grade teacher Julia Mattie is this month’s Brentwood Eagles Teacher Feature. Mattie has been teaching fourth graders at McGrath for three years. She is certified in both early childhood and elementary education, as well as middle school language arts, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University.

Mattie believes students learn best when they are engaged in authentic, interactive and personalized learning experiences. She provides opportunities for her fourth graders to work together to solve real-world problems, and encourages them to celebrate growth and achievement at all levels. Her classroom systems keep students organized and motivated to achieve their goals, while preparing them for the challenges they will face in middle school.

“Julia’s relationships with her students are exceptional, and she is constantly finding new ways to reach them,” said McGrath Principal Dr. Cindy Neu. “She has created a classroom culture that prioritizes student voice and choice, as well as respect for one another. Her students thrive with her guidance.”

In addition to teaching, Mattie sponsors the school’s Lego Club and will help coordinate the launch of the Leader in Me program at McGrath during the 2023-24 school year. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening and watching movies in theaters.