Matthew Tabor never expected to become a music teacher. In fact, if you had asked him as a kid, music wouldn’t have made the list at all. But life has a way of opening unexpected doors, and Matt has followed every one with curiosity, gratitude, and a genuine love for the students who are newly discovering music.

Matt teaches kindergarten through fourth-grade music, along with fifth and sixth-grade exploratory for students who aren’t in band. His days start early and lively. The moment he steps into the cafeteria, a wave of excited voices rises: “Mr. Tabor!” He laughs about it. “If you ever hear a whole room full of six-year-olds screaming my name, it’s probably just me walking through,” he said.

Though this is his first year teaching, Matt brings a mix of enthusiasm and depth to every lesson. One of his favorite things to do is pair music with history—giving students context for the composers, eras, and world events connected to the music they hear. “If you don’t understand the context, the music doesn’t mean as much,” he explained. He didn’t learn that connection until college, and now he offers it to children who can barely see over a music stand.

His fascination with history spills into conversation easily. Ask him about a time period, and he’ll weave together politics, geography, and world events with an ease that shows how deeply he loves learning. But what always centers him is the belief that music becomes richer when students know the story behind it.

Matt’s own story has its fair share of twists. He grew up in Chicago, where his dad was an architect and where his family felt the impact of the 2008 housing crisis. Just as he was starting high school, the family moved to Casper, Wyoming. Because he enrolled late, the classes he wanted were full. Choir happened to be open. That was it—his whole introduction to music.

That unexpected scheduling fluke changed everything. He joined choir, fell in love with singing, and stuck with it all four years. He joined an advanced vocal jazz ensemble, took music theory, and found himself fascinated by the inner workings of music. Those classes pushed him toward a degree in music education—not because it came easily, but because it made him feel challenged and inspired.

After community college in Wyoming, Matt transferred to Colorado State University. That’s where an elementary music methods professor shifted his direction again. “She had this energy and spark,” he said. “I walked into her class thinking, ‘Just don’t let me fail this class.’ But seeing how much she valued teaching children—it made me realize how meaningful this work really is.” Even before he said it out loud, he knew elementary music was the right place for him.

Matt’s family eventually returned to Illinois, settling in Marion. He followed after graduating in May 2024. Job searching took time, but Unity Point felt right the moment he interviewed. “It’s been a dream come true,” he said. “Everything I wanted in a job.”

Something he appreciates deeply—something he didn’t expect—is the support he receives as a brand-new teacher. Unity Point paired him with mentor Maria Deaton, who has helped him navigate the Danielson Framework and use it as a tool to reflect on his teaching. “She’s awesome,” he said. “Having something objective that applies to any teacher is really useful, especially in music, where so much of what we do doesn’t always line up with general education.

Outside of school, Matt stays rooted in his own musicianship. He sings with the SIU Choral Union and with the Paducah Singers, performing regularly and continuing to grow as an artist. Participating in those activities reminds him of why he loved music in the first place—and why he wants his students to have the same spark.

When asked what he hopes adults in the community understand about music, he answered without hesitation. He believes music is something people deserve to come back to, no matter how long it’s been. “If you feel that pull toward music again, don’t push it down,” he said. “Let yourself enjoy it. It’s never too late to return to something that brings you joy.”

Every morning, as Matt walks into a classroom filled with kids eager to sing, clap, move, and learn, it’s clear he’s right where he’s supposed to be—helping the next generation discover their own place in the music.