Wareham High School civics teacher and JROTC instructor Matthew Stanton is a semifinalist for the 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Award — and he can’t believe it. 

“Honestly, it makes me feel not worthy and rather embarrassed,” he said. “There are so many other educators that I encounter every day, who have been doing this for much longer and are far more qualified and deserving, and they truly inspire me to do my best.” 

Stanton said that as a semifinalist, he is most excited to raise awareness of his “amazing” colleagues in Wareham Public Schools. A former lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, he has been teaching in Wareham for nine years. 

Along with teaching students civic values in his eighth-grade Leadership and Citizenship class, he serves as advisor for the Key Club and the Global Education Club. The Key Club does community service, while the Global Education Club promotes multiculturalism and awareness of world affairs. 

“I love the challenge that comes with teaching,” he said, “and am thankful for the support from students, colleagues, administrators and parents.”

The award is sponsored by the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The winner will work with the Department, and serve as “an ambassador to other teachers in the state,” according to the Department website. The winner will also be Massachusetts’s candidate for the National Teacher of the Year Award. 

“Matt is a dynamic teacher who infuses technology and real-life scenarios into his lessons,” a press release from the school read. “His classes are highly requested by our student body.”

The finalists will be announced in May or June.