Room 81 home to Legos, legends and good movies
Manteca High teacher Matthew Eavenson stands at his desk, surrounded by students, during a class on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Eavenson is the advisor for Buffalo Builders, a Lego club on campus. (Hanna Palacio/The Tower)
By REBECCA NAVARRO
The Tower
Manteca High History and film teacher Matthew Eavenson’s passion for his classes flows through every lesson, keeping students engaged and excited to learn more.
While in his film class, he dives into the world of all the greatest hits and their impact on pop culture.
Being a Buffalo alum, Eavenson knows and cares for the school and many of the students who walks its halls. He is not only a teacher and club advisor but also a coach, traveling with the football team every Friday and working closely day in and out with them to secure a successful season.
Room 81 is never dull and always an open and fun place for students. As the advisor of the Buffalo Builders (Lego club) on campus, Eavenson provides a creative outlet for students to come together and share their passion for Legos after school every Thursday.
Former Lego Club president Mary Jane Alvarez described working with Eavenson every Thursday as a “great time to hangout and socialize with everyone.”
The Tower sat down with Eavenson to discuss his background and values, as well as his love for Legos.
THE TOWER: How was your family life growing up?
MATTHEW EAVENSON: My family life growing up, we were very close. My brother is only two years older than I am and my sister is two years younger than I am. ... I went to high school with both of them. My mom and my dad always supported me; always did whatever I wanted and helped me out with whatever I needed, and I could always rely on them. To this day, I like hanging out with them. We even have a group chat with my family and my siblings separately where we say all these funny and silly things.
TT: What interests you in teaching?
ME: I was originally interested in engineering. I wanted to build things, hence why I’m interested in Legos. But, when I got down to the nitty gritty, I found that I had a bit more of an interest in helping people.
TT: If you could be the star of any movie, which would it be and why?
ME: If I could be the star of any movie, I think I would take Matt Damon’s place in “The Martian.” Mostly because in my head I like to think that I’m a bit of a survivalist, that I have the wit to be able to survive in that type of environment. I also like science.
TT: Who is your idol?
ME: I love Teddy Roosevelt. For what he did for the government and what he did for the environment, what he did as a commanding officer in the Army, I think he is very admirable. He is somebody that we should emulate – and he had a killer mustache.
TT: What are some things you treasure in life?
ME: It would be too stereotypical for me to say I treasure my Legos, but if I was not to say that, I treasure my family. I treasure my time with them. I treasure my dog, my cat, (and) my turtles. I treasure my students’ time because I like hanging out with them whenever the time arises.
TT: What are some goals you have this year?
ME: I want to help students learn more. I want to get student engagement up. I am also trying to increase student projects. I think I’m doing too much of the talking in my classroom and I need my students to do more of the talking, so that is the ultimate goal.
TT: How is coaching? What is your favorite and maybe least favorite part of it?
ME: My favorite part about coaching is the connection with the kids. I find this a good outlet for anyone who wants to work hard and get stronger and better. This is the best outlet for them, and giving this opportunity to students is the pro of coaching, helping them get that. But outside of that, I would say the con is when athletes don’t want to work hard. They give up or don’t think they can do it. The weakness that can come with people not believing in themselves, I would say the con is where I can see it and they can’t see it themselves.