Matthew Clinton
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with a proven track record at Savanna School District, excelling in proactive problem-solving and effective strategic leadership. Recognized as the 2025 Teacher of the Year, I foster professional relationships and utilize data-informed planning to enhance student growth and support educators through quality mentorship. I possess a strong background in working with students with additional needs. By incorporating student specific behavioral supports I am able to promote growth. My experiences, over the past 20+ years, have ranged from peer role model, tutor (autism focus), paraprofessional, teacher, and principal. Working with students, staff, and parents, in different capacities, has granted me an in-depth understanding, of all aspects, of an educational community. These experiences provide me with an advantage in helping individuals optimize growth/success in themselves and others.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Summer Academy Principal
Savanna School District
05.2022 - Current
- Fostered a positive learning environment by clearly communicating expectations, processes, and procedures.
- Monitored student behaviors and implemented behavioral management plans to support student growth/progress.
- Developed strong relationships with stakeholders to foster trust, collaboration, and commitment to shared goals.
- Mentored newly hired educators and provided them purposeful opportunities to observe and collaborate with others.
Title I Educator
Savanna School District
08.2022 - Current
- Title I (Behavioral Focus) - Worked closely with the principal and staff to devise and implement behavior plans to support learners with unique needs. Utilized proactive approaches to help students build cooping strategies to decrease incidents. Provided crisis intervention techniques to de escalate situations and support student behavioral growth. Implemented a school-wide program (Organized Games) to decrease negative behaviors during times where higher volumes of incidents exist.
- Title I (Academic Intervention Focus) - Provided reading intervention services utilizing a specified reading program (Sonday Systems). Collected and analyzed a variety of data to target, monitor, and support our most at risk learners.
- Built relationships and communicated with parents to provide best learning environment for children.
- Participated in numerous leadership roles such as District Advisory Committee Chairperson, PBIS Coordinator, SST Coordinator, Organized Games Facilitator, Leadership Team, and more.
Master Teacher - Summer Academy
Savanna School District
05.2013 - 05.2019
- Responsibilities included guiding, observing, evaluating, and providing feedback to student teachers in self-contained classrooms.
- Modeling/demonstrating appropriate teaching strategies and emphasizing appropriate responses to student behaviors.
- Communicating to teachers their strengths and areas for focus in a professional positive manner.
- Emphasizing the importance of communicating and building relationships with students, staff, and families.
Elementary School Teacher
Savanna School District
08.2011 - 05.2022
- Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
- Evaluated and assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback and adapting teaching methods accordingly.
- Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
- Established a positive classroom environment through effective classroom management strategies, fostering respect and cooperation among students.
Education
Master of Arts - Educational Administration
California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA05-2019
Preliminary Administrative Services Credential - Education Administration
California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA05-2019
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential - Education
California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA05-2011
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Studies With An Emphasis On Human Behavior
California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA05-2010
Skills
- Proactive problem-solving approach
- Inclusive strategic planning
- Strong written and verbal communicator
- Invests in educators through quality mentorship
- Values the importance of collaborating with all stakeholders
- Fostering professional relationships with students, staff, and families
- Effective strategic leadership
- Data-informed policy planning
- Well versed in de escalation techniques
Accomplishments
- 2025 Savanna School District Teacher of the Year
- 2025 Orange County Teacher of the Year Semifinalist
- 2018 Savanna Educational Grant
- 2018 California Honor Roll School, Holder Elementary
- 2014 California Distinguished School, Holder Elementary
- 2012 Anaheim's Police Department Gang Reduction and Intervention Reduction Partnership (G.R.I.P) Faculty Mentor Honoree
Certification
- Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (2019)
- Crisis Prevention Institute Trained (2022; 2024)
- Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD) Certification (2016; 2023)
- Cleared BTSA certification (2013)
- Clear Multiple Subject Credential with CLAD (2011)
Timeline
Title I Educator
Savanna School District
08.2022 - Current
Summer Academy Principal
Savanna School District
05.2022 - Current
Master Teacher - Summer Academy
Savanna School District
05.2013 - 05.2019
Elementary School Teacher
Savanna School District
08.2011 - 05.2022
Master of Arts - Educational Administration
California State University Long Beach
Preliminary Administrative Services Credential - Education Administration
California State University Long Beach
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential - Education
California State University Long Beach
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Studies With An Emphasis On Human Behavior
California State University Long Beach
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