Upper Greenwood Lake School has a new principal, Dr. Gregory Matlosz, with very impressive curriculum vitae. Matlosz has a bachelor of arts in history/education, a master’s in public education and a doctorate in arts and letters. Besides his academic credentials, Matlosz has earned recognition as a skilled and innovative teacher who recognizes the importance of history and is able to impart a love for the subject in his students.
He has been honored with Gilder Lehrman’s 2010 Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award and the History Channel/A&E Network award for Best Idea in Teaching, for developing a World War I simulation game, whereby students take the roles of different countries’ leaders and are asked to make decisions for their country at each crucial juncture or event of the years from 1914-1918. Matlosz also received a Certificate of Appreciation as a Great Teacher from Claes Nobel, chairman of the National Society of High School Scholars. He was also commended by resolution by the New Jersey State Legislature for his contribution in humanities education for West Milford Public Schools.
Matlosz grew up in Linden and originally came to West Milford as a maternity leave replacement. Another leave replacement position in 2004 turned into a full-time position.
“It was pure luck,” Matlosz said. “I tell teachers in leave positions anything can happen. I was lucky.”
He attended Montclair State University, where, he said, “I had a history teacher who influenced me to appreciate history and I became a history, not education, major. I was interested in 19th century American History and had a professor who wowed me.”
Matlosz read extensively in many areas, including American and global history, and his love of the subject grew. His professors guided him into teaching and the rest, as they say, was history.
But how do you get others interested in history?
“Unfortunately, people see it as talking about dates and dead people," said Matlosz. "History comes alive when you relate it to life today…that’s how you can engage people in the conversation.”
He values examples of history we have around us. “Seeing historical sites bulldozed breaks my heart,” he said. “I appreciate the Town of West Milford for wanting to keep its history alive for the next generation to see.” Matlosz was instrumental in creating an internship for students to work with Long Pond Ironworks State Park.
Where books on certain subjects didn’t exist, Matlosz said, "I was lucky to have teachers who went out of their way to find information and share with the class and relate it to events now.” Students in Upper Greenwood Lake don’t depend on textbooks, but learn to analyze copies of original historic documents, photographs and paintings and discuss similarities and differences with life today.
Now that’s he’s principal, Matlosz’ focus is on “developing students into good people as far as citizenship and character education. I think I’m one of the few people who are 'old school',” he said. He describes himself as patriotic and wants kids to grow up loving their country; “to appreciate the democracy that they are part of.”
Matlosz, as a first generation American, appreciates our country and his “old school” upbringing.
“My parents are originally from Poland,” he said. “Their strictness at home carried down to me. I’m thankful; it made me a better person: morally, spiritually, and ethically.
As district supervisor of History And Social Studies, Matlosz visited all six elementary schools, and, he says, “That’s where I fell in love with elementary education."
He’s excited to be the Upper Greenwood Lake School principal. He said his mission “is to insure that students are prepared for middle school…as democratically sound students (able) to make informed decisions and prepared for life. Elementary school is the foundation of education. It’s the most important stage in a student’s life. Our job as a team - principal and teachers - is to give it 200 percent to make sure every single student has a chance and is prepared for later stages in education.”
Matlosz and his wife, Diana, live in West Milford and have two children: daughter Vanessa, 5 and son Evan, 2.
Here’s your chance to make culinary history with Matlosz’ recipe for Mediterranean chicken packets with pesto.
Sidebar: Why history is important
"The usual answer someone gives for this question is "to not repeat our past mistakes." Although I agree with that answer, there is so much to it. History gives us the opportunity to reflect on the progression of civilization and how far we truly came. For example, within American History, to understand the plight of the working class gives historians and students of history the opportunity to understand why a workers' strike may take place today. I've always told my former students that when they are presenting an argument or countering a different point of view to make sure they have the research to back it. Political spin can only get you so far."
Greg Matlosz