Matthew started his educational journey pursuing aviation maintenance and earning his mechanic license from the FAA in his hometown of Jacksonville Florida. After several years in various roles from helicopter manufacturing, flight school operations and helicopter-based LiDAR he chose to travel extensively across the United States working in outdoor roles along the way, including a cross-country ski lodge in Maine and as a wildlife guide in Alaska. Seeking an academic challenge, he entered Florida International University and graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in International Relations. Matthew’s academic pursuits have thoroughly prepared him to facilitate in depth discussions that aim to understand the challenges of our globalized world. He believes Social Studies is fundamental for developing students into informed and thoughtful citizens who exhibit moral and civic virtues and are driven to participate in their communities and its politics. Among other things he is passionate about hiking, foraging, solar eclipses, waterfalls and generally connecting with the natural world.