CAROLINA SHORES, NC, June 16, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Nancy M. Matzek has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Matzek dedicated 33 years to the Wappingers Central School District in Wappingers Falls, NY, serving as a teacher from 1970 to 2003. Throughout her tenure, she became renowned for her expertise in teaching five-year-old students, a role in which she excelled and found deep fulfillment. Her daily responsibilities included greeting students as they arrived on school buses, ensuring they felt comfortable navigating the school environment and guiding them inside with warmth and encouragement. Each day, their day began with talking about what was important to them. She would ask, "So what is going on in your world?" This gave the children an opportunity to say anything important in their world. She would usually start with something funny that happened at her home with either her husband or her pets. There were times when something shared sparked excitement among the children, and that became the lesson of the day. Occasionally, her plans for the day went out the window when the children became excited about something said. Flexibility was key in a classroom full of curious children. At the end of each day, she helped students board their buses, offering reassurance and a supportive gesture as they returned home.

During her career, Ms. Matzek experienced significant historical events, including the September 11 attacks in 2001. On that day, she was in her classroom when news of the tragedy broke. The district implemented immediate safety measures, instructing teachers to lock their doors while the situation unfolded. The Wappingers Central School District, recognized as the largest in Dutchess County with 10 elementary schools and 17,000 students, was fortunate not to lose any parents associated with the district during this national crisis.

Ms. Matzek's commitment to her students extended beyond academics. She took particular pride in organizing memorable events that enriched the school community. One highlight was a Christmas performance she coordinated alongside another teacher who played the role of a mother on stage. Ms. Matzek managed behind-the-scenes activities and provided musical accompaniment on guitar and piano, drawing upon her minor in music. The performance became especially memorable when a student portraying a reindeer leaped onto a narrow bookcase and fell off; he recovered gracefully, took three bows, and returned to his role, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Her education journey was inspired by a lifelong aspiration to teach. As a child, Ms. Matzek naturally gravitated toward younger children, often playing school with them, a talent her older brother noticed. This early inclination solidified into a clear professional calling as she matured.

Ms. Matzek earned a bachelor's degree in early childhood education with a minor in music from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut. After receiving her permanent teaching license and realizing she did not plan to teach special education, there was no need to obtain a master's degree in special education. Her academic training qualified her to teach nursery school through sixth grade. It provided a strong foundation for her work with young learners. Motivated by personal experience growing up with a cousin who had severe cerebral palsy, she later shifted her focus toward special education. Her interest centered on understanding the social and emotional challenges children face and supporting their families through these difficulties.

Although Ms. Matzek chose not to pursue a master's degree, she completed all necessary credits for a permanent teaching license, prioritizing practical classroom experience over additional formal qualifications. This credential enabled her to maintain an enduring presence in education while continually adapting to her students' evolving needs.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Matzek has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to civic engagement and community service. She volunteered for 15 years with the Lee Ranger District of the George Washington National Forest. She contributed her time to the United States Forest Service in Virginia. A year after her husband's death, Ms. Matzek decided it was time to travel and joined NOMADS (NOMADS On Missions Active in Devine Service). It is a Methodist organization that helps Methodist churches, camps, and organizations. 6 NOMADS arrive and quickly become fast friends, doing whatever the organization needs help with. She has built stadium seating, helped to erect a tent 30' long and 15' wide, watched children succeed at a task, and given encouragement, and the list goes on. They are in one place for three weeks and leave as quietly as they arrived, knowing they made a difference and have made new friends. Her passion for music extended into her personal life through active participation in several choirs, including the Calabash Covenant Presbyterian Church Choir, the Seaside United Methodist Church Choir and the All City Choir in North Myrtle Beach, North Carolina.

Born in New Britain, CT, Ms. Matzek is also devoted to her family life. Her son, Jeff, married a great gal. Jeff and his mother were chatting and he began telling her about Theresa. Ms. Matzek then realized she had taught Theresa in kindergarten. Ms. Matzek never thought a former student would marry her son and they have become steadfast friends. Her granddaughter, Cora, resides in Florida and is the mother of two sons: Brian, who is twenty, is planning to attend trade school, and Austin, who is two years old, just began pre-school. Her grandson, Brandon, is a senior in high school and plans to attend trade school after graduation.

In addition to spending time with family and friends, Ms. Matzek enjoys quilting and volunteering, pursuits that reflect her enduring dedication to creativity and service within her community.

Throughout her distinguished career and personal endeavors, Ms. Matzek has exemplified compassion, resilience and unwavering commitment to nurturing others both inside and outside the classroom.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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