a community engagement initiative of Waverly Community Unit District #6
Thematically appropriate for an English teacher, Matthew Jokisch inspires modern-day shepherds who inhabit and move the pastoral landscapes of Waverly. This bellwether embodies far more than the traditional image that comes to mind when we think of educators stirring up student interest in the humanities. Matt is not merely an educator; he is an agent of change, a proponent of clear and concise communication, and a stalwart pillar in our community’s layers of personalities.
Allergic to Microphones
Communication is at the core,” Matt says. “A lot of it is about communication and being able to communicate responsibly.” For him, the classroom serves as a real-world laboratory where students practice the art of meaningful dialogue, not unlike the classical dialectic that has worked for eons to discuss and express profound problems and work collectively toward solutions. The reflex toward meaningful discourse is the muscle that Matt seeks to train.
Communication is at the core.
Matt appeared fated for a life in education, as his mother was a librarian and his father was a teacher. Yet his journey into the field and his commitment to the classroom have been anything but linear. When he decided to leave administration and return to teaching, it wasn’t a retreat but a calculated move to a place where his impact would be maximized.
He leverages his academic background from the University of Illinois and Northern Illinois University to teach his students the mechanics of the English language and the ethics and responsibilities of using language as a tool. His classes have evolved into arenas for spirited debates, exercises in critical thinking, and responsible examination of the truth. “Teaching them the difference between communicating with an ulterior motive or, you know, to be difficult versus contributing,” he elaborates, “makes all the difference in the world.” Matt’s classroom is a space where a “diverse range of opinions” coexists, each respected and thoughtfully debated.
“I’m allergic to microphones,” Matt quips, a nod to his unassuming personality that shies away from the limelight of administration work. This very impulse drove him away from admin and back into the classroom. However, he doesn’t need a microphone to amplify his impact; his words, actions, and mindful approach to education do that for him. His quiet authority and innate ability to connect with students stem from his respect for the intimacy of small-scale educational settings. “I fit a lot better in a smaller group, like a classroom of 20-30 people,” he admits. He excels in spaces where education becomes a dialogue rather than a monologue, where students are inspired to become better citizens and thinkers.
He sees his role as more than just an educator. Matt is a life coach, steering his students towards a future that doesn’t necessarily fit cultural expectations but aligns with their self-discovery. He doesn’t just teach his students English; he prepares them for a life rich in intellectual curiosity of the world at large, respectful dialogue with those they disagree with, and village involvement in reaching for the greater good on both sides of the poetically described pasture.
