Matt Sherman shares his path to education and why he gives back to the field

When most people hear, “principal of the year,” they would likely imagine someone who grew up enjoying school and breezing through their lessons. For Matt Sherman, (2011, Education Administration) that was not the case. During his childhood, he struggled academically. With the support of his teachers, he persevered and went on to not only teach but become the 2025 South Carolina Association of School Administrators Secondary Principal of the Year.  

“I did not know I was heading in this path. To be honest with you, I'm a student who struggled in school,” Sherman says. “Looking back, I realized my success came from all the adults that invested in me.”

Initially, Sherman envisioned a career in law enforcement, influenced by his father’s profession. In college, a pivotal experience volunteering with the Special Olympics led him to pursue special education.

“I really thought I was on the path toward law enforcement, either state, local, or federal, because that's the life I knew,” he explains. “I encountered a world I was not familiar with and recognized the spirit of serving and helping others that was so important to me.”

This revelation steered him toward a career in special education. He began his teaching journey in Richland County School District Two in 2000. He was motivated by his goal of intervening in students’ lives early to put them on a pathway to success. His loved to discover students’ potential.

“Kids are told their entire lives about what they cannot achieve,” says Sherman. “I was able to change that narrative and show them their skill sets. For my students who might not attend college, I introduced them to job sites to leverage their strengths. I now see some of them as young adults with families of their own doing great things.”

Once again, a trusted advisor in Sherman’s life rerouted his path and asked him to consider a career change to administration. Sherman did not want to leave the profound work he was doing but recognized that a new position could put him in a place to empower more people.

“Our school was a Professional Development School Partner with the College of Education,” says Sherman. “I knew the relationship with USC and began considering the administration program there.”

The program was online, so Sherman was able to attend classes while working. He balanced family time, school and work and completed the program. He applied for an assistant administration position at Blythewood High School, got the job and eventually went on to become the school’s principal.

“Yet again, other professionals in my life kept pouring into me, saying, ‘push your limits, push your boundaries,’” Sherman says. “I began to see that leadership not only enables great teachers but impacts the outcomes of students as well. I was that kid who dreaded coming to school and was not finding success. Now I get to be the person who pours into those students and gives them the support and trust they need.”

Sherman’s leadership style is characterized by approachability, trust and a commitment to empowering others. He focuses on problem-solving and supporting others, allowing them to take risks and learn from failures. 

“If I hire you, I've hired the best,” says Sherman. “If you're a student in my building, I believe your intentions are the best until proven otherwise. “I don’t believe in problems; I believe in opportunities. There’s not one opportunity you bring my way that we can't find a solution for. If it fails, it's going to fail forward.”

While Sherman was initially surprised at the recognition, he believes his award reflects his team, their collective efforts and supportive culture. He refers to his school faculty and staff as his ‘A-Team.’ He knows that when he is not on campus, the school is in great hands. He also highlights the valuable partnership between Blythewood High School and the University of South Carolina.

“Our reciprocal relationship is a gamechanger for us,” says Sherman. “We bring student teachers and faculty to our school and in turn, we share our knowledge with USC. We have a direct connection to the place that prepares our future teachers, and by investing there, they return that investment.”

Sherman serves on a panel of principals in Professor Suzy Hardie’s class as one of his ways of giving back. This work compliments his leadership style and energizes the principals who participate.

“That experience is dynamic,” says Sherman. “Professor Hardie regularly brings in leaders from across the state. We come together and talk about what is going on in our schools. It is incredibly powerful to use the people closest to the work to bring about solutions.”

Sherman will be honored at the upcoming SCASA banquet in mid-May. He was also named the South Carolina Athletic Administrators 5A Principal of the Year for 2025.