
Matthew Schwan graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Music Education in 2010. He later earned his MME in Choral Music Education from Wichita State University in the summer of 2020. Matthew is currently in his thirteenth year of teaching in public education. He currently holds certifications in Orff Schulwerk approach, Kodaly approach, and earned his ESOL certification early in his teaching career. His awards include Departmental Distinction Award from Kansas Wesleyan in 2010, Favorite Teacher of the Year for Newspapers in Education 2014, and Outstanding Middle Level Music Educator for North Central Kansas in 2020. Matthew is a part of the amazing staff at Coronado Elementary School where he serves on the vision committee, founder of the After School Music Club, and has students participate in regional and state events. His students have consistently earned superior and outstanding ratings at music festivals around the area, and his middle school choir in Junction City was invited to perform at the 2020 KMEA In-Service Workshop in Wichita, KS. When he is not working with his students, he also teaches private lessons to students across central Kansas. Additionally, he is also the Director of Music at Sunrise Presbyterian Church in Salina Kansas. He especially wants to thank his wife Becky, daughter Lydia, and golden retriever Lily for their continued support. He would also like to thank God, his family, friends, and mentors for nurturing him into the person he is today. He is very honored to be selected as this year's Outstanding Elementary Music Educator award recipient.