Minneapolis Academy Faculty

Matthew Paterakis- Science
Email: Matt Paterakis

Mr. Matthew Paterakis is one of the founding teachers of Minneapolis Academy. He brings varied academic, professional, and life experiences to the classroom including a B.S. in Sustainable Resource Management / Environmental Science from Ohio State University.
In addition, he fulfilled two years of service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador where his primary work focused on environmental science and sustainable forestry practices. Mr. Paterakis was a recipient of the Teachers College, Columbia University Peace Corps Fellowship in New York City where he completed a Masters Degree in Secondary (Earth Science) Education.
 
While completing his graduate work, Mr. Paterakis was a founding member of an innovative, performing-arts high school in the South Bronx. In 2006, Mr. Paterakis received an Earthwatch Institute Education Fellowship for summer study in Iceland where he was involved in researching glaciers with an international team of scientists and educators.
 
His teaching duties include Earth Systems Science, Physical Science, and General Science. In his personal life, Mr. Paterakis enjoys the books, the outdoors, is an avid gardener, plays the piano, and loves to take his motorcycle on long journeys.
 

Philosophy

The Academy's philosophy is not simply that all children can learn, but more importantly that all children will learn. There are no shortcuts to academic success and no excuses for failing to achieve it. Together, students, parents, and teachers will create a culture of achievement and success.

The Academy prepares its graduates to live thoughtful and purposeful lives equipped with the tools to engage successfully in their own "pursuit of happiness," thereby contributing greatly to the good of their communities and their families.