Ayer Principal

R.H. Dana Middle School: Principal

Matthew Wunder has been principal of R.H. Dana Middle School in the Wiseburn School District since 2003. Matt began his career 17 years ago teaching Special Education students. Realizing he enjoyed working individually and in small groups with students and parents, he served at Lincoln Middle School as a school counselor and at Manhattan Beach Intermediate/Middle School as a counselor and dean before coming to Dana as assistant principal in 2001.

Matt's academic training includes a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona , a master's of science degree in school counseling from Loyola Marymount University , and credentials in Pupil Personnel Services, Social Science, and Administrative Services from Marymount. Matt is now completing coursework for a doctorate in educational technology at Pepperdine University . Prior to teaching, Matt's wide-ranging business experience included work as a commercial broker, real estate agent, small business owner and consultant. He has co-authored three books.

Matt believes public schools must work both cooperatively and entrepreneurially to better serve students and their parents. In a world of increasing school choice (whether through charters, magnets, private schools, home schooling, or online teaching), public schools must strive to understand the parent and student as their clients or customers.

In a world of very limited resources (time, money and space) schools must focus on cooperation to expand opportunities for all schools, rather than competing to obtain scarce funds for one. At R.H. Dana Middle School , the teachers have an extraordinary work ethic and constantly reflect on how to make Dana a better place for students. Matt is constantly inspired by their dedication, creativity, and ingenuity. He sees his role as providing the necessary resources so that teachers can provide the highest quality service to their students. His tasks include expanding options for both teachers and students by networking with other organizations, increasing resources by seeking available outside grants, and improving service to student and parent “customers” by working cooperatively with teachers, parents and students to reflect on and evaluate student and school work.

As the saying goes, “None of us is as smart as all of us.” Effective schools thrive when dedicated teachers work together within their communities and in partnership with institutions beyond their walls. Matt's favorite part of day is working with teachers, students and parents to create innovative programs and services that support students. This is perhaps a close second only to playing basketball with the students at lunch.

California League of Middle Schools
6615 East Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 120, Long Beach, California 90803
Voice: 562/430-3136 or 800/326-1880 . . . FAX: 562/430-5607. . . E-Mail: info@clms.net