Whenever a new principal is named at a school, there are often concerns from the community whether that individual will fully understand the school they are about to manage. Certainly, when it comes to Bridgeport High School and its tradition of success that could be a concern.

 

The emphasis in that last sentence, just in case anyone is wondering, would be placed on the word “could.” And there is a reason for that.

 

Renee Mathews, who has already assumed the post of principal at BHS for the now-retired Matt DeMotto, knows all about Bridgeport High School. To be honest, when it comes to the education system here in Harrison County and West Virginia, it is the only school she knows.

 

Mathews not only takes over the spot having served for several years as an assistant principal that should be to her advantage, but she has another advantage. Mathews’ entire career has its roots planted firmly on the BHS educational soil.

 

Mathews, a transplant from Texas, arrived at her teaching gig in 2005. Getting to the Mountain State and ultimately Bridgeport may seem odd when you consider she is a graduate of Lytle High School in Texas, which is less than 30 miles southwest of San Antonio.

 

Her ties to West Virginia prior to coming here? None.

 

So, what led her here?

 

“My then boyfriend, and now husband, we deployed at the time. He was a physician’s assistant wanting to specialize in rural healthcare and Alderson-Broaddus had an opportunity,” she said. “I moved here with him, and we made West Virginia our home.”

 

Mathews brought more than luggage with her from the Lonestar State. She also brought a math degree and teacher certification from the University of Texas in San Antonio.

 

It would not be long before she was teaching. It was in 2005 she served as a half-time teacher at BHS while also teaching at the transitional school (now situated as the United Technical Center) in the evenings.

 

Mathews stayed in that position for two years. In 2007, she became full-time at Bridgeport High School. She was teaching Algebra I, Algebra Support and was also a teacher cadet, which required her to go to North Carolina to become certified.

 

“That is teaching primarily juniors and seniors who are interested in being teachers. It involves lesson planning, child development, and content related to education 101 courses,” she said.

 

Mathews said she enjoyed her time in the classroom, but also managed to prepare herself for another step on the educational ladder. During her time in Bridgeport, Mathews obtained her master’s degree in educational leadership (along with a superintendent’s certificate) from Salem University. The move proved wise as an opportunity presented itself, almost mid-stream during the educational year, to make a move to administration.

 

“It was in 2018; roughly an October time frame,” said Mathews. “I was an assistant principal, but I had to finish out the year teaching calculus at the same time.”

 

Since then, Mathews, who focused on curriculum in her role among many other responsibilities as an assistant, has been part of a trio that included DeMotto and fellow Assistant Principal Mark Jones. DeMotto stepped down and Jones stepped away to be the new assistant at Johnson Elementary leaving Mathews the final person standing.

 

Now, she heads the only school she has ever known. And she is excited and ready for what lies ahead.

 

“I think it is super important for anyone that is going to be an administrator to understand the culture and climate of the community. I live here, I understand the culture and climate in the community and the school so I have the benefit of a background that will pay off. I also understand and have the same expectations for this school and the community I represent has.”

 

One thing Mathews knows extremely well is mentioned at the beginning of this blog. That item is the tradition that Bridgeport High School is immersed in. Because of that, there are things that will not change.

 

“Definitely continuing with tradition is something that will not change because I know very well tradition here is important. I also understand it is the people, from the staff to the students and the parents, which are important. There will be no change in the administration’s understanding of that,” she added. “At the same time, I also will likely add in my own flair and spin on things and still show the value of the traditions of the school.”

 

How long she will continue that tradition remains to be seen. Although she is focused solely on her new position including coming in July 1 despite it being a weekend and also being place every day including state holidays on July 3 and 4, her future is not set.

 

“This is definitely a goal of my checklist, but it’s not my final goal. I want to be here, in Bridgeport, and be entrenched in the Bridgeport culture and the principal,” she said. “What I’m not 100 percent sure about is all the ins and outs of being a principal. I’ll be here well into the future, but I can’t say if this is or is not my end game.”

 

Regardless of what the future holds, it will include three things. She will have her husband Urlin II, her daughter Georgia Faith (set to arrive at BHS this school year), and son Urlin III (who will be at Bridgeport Middle School).

 

“I feel truly blessed and honored to be in this position,” she said. “I understand the weight of the responsibility and hope to continue the success of the school that places the highest value in seeing all of the students succeed.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Renee Mathews at her BHS office, while in the second photo outgoing Principal Matt DeMotto hands Mathews a plethora of keys that will now be under her control. Bottom photo, by Joe LaRocca, is from this year's graduation.