Carl Mathwig, Pioneer Elementary Band Teacher and all-around happy guy :)
Hi! I’m Carl Mathwig, and I teach beginning band at Pioneer Elementary and help out with all of the musical opportunities in Pierz. I grew up in Waconia, MN and attended Waconia High School. During my years in high school, I was a member of several Jazz Bands, Marching Band, Show Choir Bands, and several concert bands. Other than musical activities, I was very involved in a Conservation Club: we would plant trees, go camping, trap shooting, and various conservation projects in the community. During my college years, I was very involved in all music programs. I was a drum major at Northern State University and continue to be extremely involved in music to this day.
After graduation I accepted a teaching position in Chamberlain South Dakota. It was a small town on the Missouri River. There, I taught 5-8th grade band, and also ran a middle school marching band program and a middle school jazz band. I taught there for two years, and it was an incredible time in a great community very similar to Pierz.
During the summer, I teach several marching bands and stay very involved with music. I often travel to teach many different groups. While I was traveling this summer on a church music trip, I received a message from Mr. Pohland telling me about an amazing teaching opportunity that would be available in Pierz. This was exciting news because I have known Mr. Pohland since we were both in high school: his older brother was actually my high school band director! After coming to Pierz and getting to speak with the teachers here, their passion was evident and their vision was something that I had to be a part of. The energy and enthusiasm at Pierz Schools is contagious, and I am happy to be part of a team that is so invested in their students and their futures.
When I am not teaching I am generally doing something music related, whether that be playing in a community band or just something for fun. I also enjoy biking, running, and being on the water. Family is really important to me, and I am very close with my parents and my brother. When I want to relax I love watching movies and TV shows, some of my favorite are definitely Star Wars and The Office.
It is a tremendous privilege to be able to work with the students here in Pierz. Nothing is more exciting to me than getting to work with so many new students and teaching them music; the skills that you develop along the way are invaluable and truly one of a kind. I believe that every day is an opportunity to share my excitement with students and inspire them to have an awesomely incredible day-- I believe attitudes are contagious and that is why you will always find me smiling and excited!
After graduation I accepted a teaching position in Chamberlain South Dakota. It was a small town on the Missouri River. There, I taught 5-8th grade band, and also ran a middle school marching band program and a middle school jazz band. I taught there for two years, and it was an incredible time in a great community very similar to Pierz.
During the summer, I teach several marching bands and stay very involved with music. I often travel to teach many different groups. While I was traveling this summer on a church music trip, I received a message from Mr. Pohland telling me about an amazing teaching opportunity that would be available in Pierz. This was exciting news because I have known Mr. Pohland since we were both in high school: his older brother was actually my high school band director! After coming to Pierz and getting to speak with the teachers here, their passion was evident and their vision was something that I had to be a part of. The energy and enthusiasm at Pierz Schools is contagious, and I am happy to be part of a team that is so invested in their students and their futures.
When I am not teaching I am generally doing something music related, whether that be playing in a community band or just something for fun. I also enjoy biking, running, and being on the water. Family is really important to me, and I am very close with my parents and my brother. When I want to relax I love watching movies and TV shows, some of my favorite are definitely Star Wars and The Office.
It is a tremendous privilege to be able to work with the students here in Pierz. Nothing is more exciting to me than getting to work with so many new students and teaching them music; the skills that you develop along the way are invaluable and truly one of a kind. I believe that every day is an opportunity to share my excitement with students and inspire them to have an awesomely incredible day-- I believe attitudes are contagious and that is why you will always find me smiling and excited!
