This month’s National Renaissance Staffulty™ of the Month is Conner Mattingly of Henderson County High School in Henderson, KY. Their nominator wrote:
“Conner Mattingly dedicates his energy to creating an environment at Henderson County High School that is inviting, inclusive, and more importantly MOTIVATING! He has single handedly revolutionized homecoming spirit weeks into the pinnacles of the school year – one in the fall semester and one in the spring semester. EVERY student and EVERY Staffulty member know what is expected to help foster healthy grade level competitions that build relationships across the building while still keeping the focus on academics and achievement. His roles as RTI Interventionist, AP Stats Instructor, and assistant basketball coach allow him to reach all walks of students, meeting them in their lane. His energy is infectious, his dedication is unmatched, his methodology in the classroom, in the halls, and on the court is laser-focused! HCHS is not the same building it was 7 years ago, thanks to Mr. Mattingly‘s passion for being a Colonel!”
How long have you been involved with Renaissance?
Seven years!
What’s a favorite Renaissance moment for you?
Our class color day during Spirit Week is amazing. Our entire school is painted in our school colors. Our freshman are decked head to toe and in maroon, our sophomores are draped in gray and silver, our juniors are fully blacked out, and our seniors dominate with their white from head to toe. We do advisory call-downs in the middle of the day for everyone who has participated and to see all of those students and excitement in the middle of a school day is amazing. Straight goosebumps.
How has Renaissance impacted your school’s culture?
Our school culture has seen such a positive swing since introducing Renaissance. Specifically, our Spirit Week participation was less than than 5% daily with at maximum of 200 students participating. After Renaissance, our Spirit Week participation grew to over 60% daily participation with over 1200+ students participating.
How has Renaissance affected you personally?
Renaissance has given me an avenue to let my fire of loving Henderson County High School continue to grow. I have been able to help students be involved and love coming to school through so many different Renaissance activities. Each year, JRGC recharges me and has me ready to run through a wall as the school year begins. It has made me a better educator as well as a better person overall.
What advice would you give to someone just starting with Renaissance?
Don’t get overwhelmed. Those who see what Renaissance is about want it all to happen at once and that is not realistic. It is a process. There will be wins and there will be losses. But, there will be SO MANY MORE WINS! As Ginger Stovall would say, “Live in the land of better!” If we are better now than we were yesterday, we are doing something right.
Mr. Mattingly will receive a tote bag and a lapel pin to recognize his achievement.