Matthew Willis

About Matthew Willis

As a U.S. Marine, I learned the value of discipline, mission focus, and leading by example. As a business manager, I sharpened my skills in team development, accountability, and strategic planning. And as an educator, I found my calling—ensuring that every student, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for life.My journey from the classroom to campus leadership has been driven by one core belief:\"students can achieve at high levels when we hold high expectations and provide meaningful support.\" As a social studies teacher, I was honored as an ING Unsung Hero and Colorado History Day Teacher of the Year for using innovation to raise student achievement. Later, as Assistant Principal, I collaborated with teams to significantly improve math performance and implement restorative practices—earning national recognition as the 2013 NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year.As a Principal, I built a Culture of Care grounded in relationships, high expectations, and equity. We aligned restorative practices, professional learning teams, and community partnerships to transform student outcomes. Our work was nationally recognized by the Schools of Opportunity project for closing opportunity gaps in a high-poverty, linguistically diverse urban school.Now in Texas, I continue that mission. At Cleveland High School, I focus on building systems that empower teachers, support emergent bilinguals, and move all students toward mastery. I’m helping our school community move from survival to success.I lead with urgency, humility, and purpose—because someone once invested in me, and now it\'s my turn to pay it forward.

Experience

1. Assistant Principal High School

   CLEVELAND ISD

   Jul 2024 — Present · Cleveland, TX, US

   CTE Program> Timely Attendance Initiative> Comprehensive Hallway Pass Program

Education

• University of Virginia

  School Turnaround Leadership Program

  2015 — 2017

• University of Colorado Denver

  Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), Educational Policy and Administration

  2008 — 2009

• University of Northern Colorado

  Tointon School Leadership Institute

  2010 — 2010

• University of Phoenix

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Business Management

  2000 — 2003

• University of Colorado Denver

  Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Leadership for Educational Equity

  2014 — 2017

• University of Phoenix

  Master of Arts (M.A.), Secondary Education

  2003 — 2004

• Metropolitan State University of Denver

  Linguistically Diverse Education

  2006 — 2007