About Me
I’m thrilled to be at Erie Middle School, where I teach 7th and 8th grade social studies. I grew up in Erie, so I know first-hand how great of a community it is, and I'm grateful every day to be able to serve the community that had such a positive impact on me.
After graduating from Erie High School (2008), I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from Monmouth College, majoring in History and Secondary Education, and began teaching 7th & 8th grade social studies at Illini Bluffs Middle School, near Peoria, in 2012. I taught at IB for six years, where I also coached basketball and soccer during some of my time there. In 2018, I earned a Master's Degree in Teaching & Learning from Illinois State, and my wife, Laina, and I got married, and moved to Moline. I taught 7th & 8th grade social studies and science at Wilson Middle School, in Moline during the 2018-2019 school year, and joined EMS in the summer of 2019. I teach all 8th grade American history classes, as well as 8th grade Consumer Ed. (a trimester course) and one section of 7th grade world history.
Any of my former students can tell you I’m passionate about what I teach, but hopefully what stands out even more, is my passion for education as a whole, and being a positive role model for kids. I know not all of my students will become historians, teachers, or politicians. However, regardless of what they choose to do when they get older, they will all have the job of citizen, which is perhaps most important of all. Understanding the world we live in, what our role is in it, and learning lessons from history have never been more important as they are now, in a world that grows smaller and more interconnected every day. I’m driven each day knowing I have the opportunity to be a part of kids learning these important lessons.
I'm looking forward to a great school year and getting to know the students and families of Erie better this coming year! Don't hesitate to reach out if you ever have any questions or concerns about anything!
Mr. Matt Armstrong
[email protected]
After graduating from Erie High School (2008), I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from Monmouth College, majoring in History and Secondary Education, and began teaching 7th & 8th grade social studies at Illini Bluffs Middle School, near Peoria, in 2012. I taught at IB for six years, where I also coached basketball and soccer during some of my time there. In 2018, I earned a Master's Degree in Teaching & Learning from Illinois State, and my wife, Laina, and I got married, and moved to Moline. I taught 7th & 8th grade social studies and science at Wilson Middle School, in Moline during the 2018-2019 school year, and joined EMS in the summer of 2019. I teach all 8th grade American history classes, as well as 8th grade Consumer Ed. (a trimester course) and one section of 7th grade world history.
Any of my former students can tell you I’m passionate about what I teach, but hopefully what stands out even more, is my passion for education as a whole, and being a positive role model for kids. I know not all of my students will become historians, teachers, or politicians. However, regardless of what they choose to do when they get older, they will all have the job of citizen, which is perhaps most important of all. Understanding the world we live in, what our role is in it, and learning lessons from history have never been more important as they are now, in a world that grows smaller and more interconnected every day. I’m driven each day knowing I have the opportunity to be a part of kids learning these important lessons.
I'm looking forward to a great school year and getting to know the students and families of Erie better this coming year! Don't hesitate to reach out if you ever have any questions or concerns about anything!
Mr. Matt Armstrong
[email protected]