Cardinal Spotlight

Matthey Cardinal Spotlight 8-21-2026

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Matthey Staff Spotlight 8-21-2026
We are thrilled to shine this week’s Cardinal Spotlight on the incredible Mrs. Lauri Marek!
Mrs. Marek has truly blossomed into an outstanding Reading Language Arts (RLA) teacher here at Southside. Her journey, continuous growth, and unwavering dedication as an educator inspire both her colleagues and her students every single day.
Here is what makes Mrs. Marek such an amazing part of our campus:
Passionate Educator: She brings incredible energy and expertise to her 7th-grade classroom, fostering a genuine love for reading and writing in her students.
Commitment to Excellence: Her impressive growth as an RLA teacher reflects a deep, ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality education for our community.
Student Champion: Mrs. Marek cultivates a supportive, engaging, and welcoming environment where every 7th grader is empowered to reach their full potential.
Thank you, Mrs. Marek, for your hard work, your amazing teaching, and for being such a highly valued member of the Southside family. We are so lucky to have you!

Matthey Student Spotlight 8-21-2026

We are incredibly proud to recognize Maggie Navarro for her outstanding contributions to the Matthey Middle School community! Maggie is a shining example of what it means to be a well-rounded, dedicated student.
She balances her time and talents across three impressive areas:
Driven Scholar: Maggie consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to academic excellence and hard work in the classroom.
Dedicated Athlete: Her determination, discipline, and teamwork shine brightly in her athletic pursuits.
Emerging Leader: As a valued member of the Student Advisory Council, Maggie actively uses her voice to advocate for her peers and positively impact the school environment.
Thank you, Maggie, for your leadership, your school spirit, and for being such a fantastic role model for your fellow students. Keep up the incredible work!

Matthey Cardinal Spotlight 12/10/2025

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Matthey Staff Cardinal Spotlight for December 2025 Mrs. Sue Ellen Flores

The Matthey MS Cardinal Spotlight for the week is Sue Ellen De La Cruz Flores.  This is Mrs. De La Cruz Flores first year at Matthey MS.  She serves as our ARD Facilitator.  We are proud to recognize Mrs. Sue Ellen De La Cruz Flores for her unwavering dedication to our students at Matthey Middle School. As our ARD Facilitator, she works tirelessly to ensure that our most at-risk students receive the academic supports and services they need to succeed. Her advocacy, organization, and guidance help strengthen the foundation of success for every learner she serves.

Thank you, Mrs. De La Cruz Flores, for your compassion, expertise, and relentless commitment to student growth.

Matthey Student Cardinal Spotlight for December 2025 Melanie Vera

The Matthey MS student Cardinal Spotlight for the week is Melanie Vera. We are excited to recognize Melanie Vera, an outstanding 7th grade student here at Matthey Middle School! Melanie recently earned the title of Middle School District Spelling Bee Champion and will proudly represent our campus and district at the Regional Spelling Bee.

Melanie is not only a strong academic leader, but she also excels as an athlete and a dedicated member of our Dual Language Program. Her hard work, determination, and school spirit shine in everything she does!

Please join us in congratulating Melanie on this incredible accomplishment. We know she will continue to make Matthey MS proud!

Matthey Cardinal Spotlight 10/21/2025

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Matthey Staff Spotlight for 10-21-2025

Mr. Martell leads with a competitive spirit and a clear drive for excellence. He sets high expectations for both students and staff, fostering a culture where hard work and achievement are the norm. Known for being both demanding and deeply invested in student success, Mr. Martell takes great pride in the accomplishments of his campus—whether in the classroom, on the field, or in extracurricular activities. This has contributed to a well-rounded school environment where academic and athletic success are equally celebrated.

Matthey Cardinal Spotlight 9/30/2025

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Matthey Middle School Student Spotlight for week of 9/30/3035

This week’s Cardinal Spotlight shines on Theoden Winningham, an outstanding eighth grader who leads by example both in the classroom and on the field. Theoden is a dedicated athlete, a proud member of the National Junior Honor Society, and a consistent honor student. His hard work, positive attitude, and commitment to excellence make him a role model for his peers. We are proud to recognize Theoden for balancing academics, leadership, and athletics with such determination and pride. Way to go, Theoden!

Matthey Middle School Staff Spotlight for the week of 9/30/2025

This week, we proudly recognize Mrs. Amanda Montelongo, our dedicated Academic Dean, as our Cardinal Spotlight! For the past four years, Mrs. Montelongo has been an essential part of the Matthey Middle School family, leading with heart, vision, and a relentless commitment to student achievement.

Her passion for academic excellence and her unwavering support for teachers and students alike make her a true pillar of our campus. Whether she’s analyzing data, guiding instruction, or offering a word of encouragement, Mrs. Montelongo consistently brings out the best in all of us.

Thank you, Mrs. Montelongo, for your leadership, dedication, and for always putting students first. You truly ROCK!

 

Matthey Cardinal Spotlight 09/03/2025

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Matthey Student Spotlight

This week our Cardinal Spotlight student is 8th grader Angel Perez.  Angel is a member of our National Championship BBQ team and placed 2nd at Ribeye.  Angel is also an excellent student who runs cross country.  We are excited to see what this year brings for Angel Perez. 

Matthey Staff Spotlight

Ms. Trawford is a passionate educator who works daily to support teachers and students in reaching their full potential. She brings a wealth of instructional knowledge, innovative strategies, and a heart for collaboration to our campus. Whether it’s modeling lessons, leading professional learning, or offering a listening ear, Ms. Trawford is dedicated to ensuring our Cardinals soar academically and socially.

Her positive energy and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a true asset to our school community. She believes in the power of teamwork and always goes the extra mile to empower teachers and inspire students.

We are grateful to have Ms. Trawford as part of the Cardinal family—thank you for your leadership, dedication, and for helping Matthey MS shine!

Matthey Cardinal Spotlight 8/18/2025

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Student and Staff spotlight for the week of August 18th - 22nd

The Matthey Cardinal Staff Spotlight for the week is Ms. Lauri Marek.  Ms. Marek is entering her fourth year at Southside ISD and Matthey MS.  This year, she will be serving as the department chair for our ELA department. We are expecting a great year from Ms. Marek and the ELA department!

 

 

 

The Matthey Cardinal Student Spotlight for the week is 8th grader Luis Mendez. Luis is a member of the national championship-winning BBQ team, Matthey Middle School athletics, and a great student.  This summer, Luis brought home a national championship by making the best chili in the nation at the Scheels High School BBQ competition.