Tools for Success

Matthew with Dr. Zebulon Highben, former professor and Director of Choral Activities at Muskingum University.

BY SKYLER PERRY, MARBURN SUMMER INTERN

Impacting students on their educational journey to achieve success is one of the pillars of Marburn’s mission. The reach of that mission expands when students use the tools and skills they’ve learned at Marburn to impact the lives of others. Although Matthew Early only spent a few years at Marburn, the foundation of support he received has influenced how he approaches the students he now encounters in the classroom.

Matthew Early was diagnosed with ADHD and non-verbal learning differences as he approached pre-school and kindergarten. After struggling in public school for many years, Matthew was enrolled at Marburn Academy in 2011 as a sophomore in high school. He felt that a “one size fits all” approach was being applied to his education in public school, which caused him to face challenges in the classroom.

At Marburn, Matthew felt that he received a more individualized and tailored form of instruction that helped him navigate his learning differences and education. Marburn also taught Matthew skills like organization, time management, how to advocate for his academic needs, and how to overcome his attention deficit.

After graduating from Marburn in 2014, Matthew attended Muskingum University where he received a bachelor’s degree in English and Communications. In May of 2021, he received a master’s degree in English and Creative Writing from Butler University. “I attribute much of my success in college and grad school to the tools I learned from the teachers and administrators at Marburn,” Matthew said.

Marburn also provided Matthew with a loving and welcoming place to learn public speaking skills, which will support his next goal of becoming a college professor, something he said he wouldn’t be able to pursue if it weren’t for the support he received at Marburn. Matthew said, “The thing I love about most about Marburn is that they give you all the tools that you need to be successful and they support you the entire time you’re going through it.”

Because of Matthew’s time at Marburn and his knowledge of

“I attribute much of my success in college and grad school to the tools I learned from the teachers and administrators at Marburn.”

Matthew Early