Matt Hoppe is excited for the opportunity to live in the community where he is teaching. After four years of commuting over 30 minutes to school everyday, it has been a treat to ride his bike to and from work each day through the neighborhood where many of his students live. While many teachers relish the time each evening to escape from the world of students and curriculum, Matt has enjoyed returning home to find children sitting in his living room waiting for a little help with their math.


What we don’t think Matt was anticipating was the celebrity status he has gained with the neighborhood children. As Matt walks through the Presidential Greens Apartment complex, children run out on their balconies and run over from the playground with shouts of “Hi, Mr. Hoppe” or “Hello, Mr. Matt.” Now it is not unusual for Matt to help students with homework in the middle of the playground on his way home from work. This willingness to stop and help with an attitude of love and service speaks volumes to our neighborhood children and their families.