Michelle Matthews’ career in education began 19 years ago with DCPS when she was hired by her childhood principal to work alongside inspirational teachers who also taught Michelle as a young student. She shared her passion for teaching and learning with her students as a classroom teacher and her colleagues as a learning coach. As a lifelong student herself, she pursued National Board Certification in 2010, a Masters in Reading in 2012, and an Educational Leadership certificate in 2013, leading to roles as district Literacy Specialist and eventually Assistant Principal.  In July 2018, Michelle found her home at Pine Forest School of the Arts as Principal. She can’t imagine being anywhere else. As a lover of the arts and a dancer since age seven, being Principal of an arts school is the perfect match.  An education in the arts enhances academic learning by promoting critical thinking and problem solving; it enhances communication, builds flexibility, and encourages working collaboratively through shared novel experiences; it teaches an appreciation of the work of others by prioritizing creativity. Most of all, Michelle is thankful to be part of a school with such a strong family environment, full of long-standing traditions, which provide students with a nurturing atmosphere to experience the visual and performing arts. Ever the student, Michelle continues to immerse herself in the creative and performing arts by enrolling in courses and workshops to learn new skills and techniques to share with her teachers and students.