Matthew Farrelly is one of those rare leaders who has a passion for inspiring, fortifying and igniting others. As a teacher, mindfulness coach, and tutor, he relies on a medley of resources to lead students toward personal growth and toward acquiring the necessary skills they need to realize their potential. For a number of years, he led students through Mindfulness exercises and continues to do so, with such a practice aiding individuals in off-setting executive functioning deficits, generating better self-regulation and fostering more empathic engagement. In his work, Matthew focuses on the entire individual and in his holistic approach seeks to help others develop internal resources and strategies that they can rely on to make necessary changes. He cares and is committed. I highly endorse Matthew Farrelly.
- Dr. Kelly S. Johnson
Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Neuropsychologist
I had the pleasure of working with Matthew when I was the Upper School History Teacher at Covenant Classical School. During my 2.5 years there, Matthew and I became close colleagues and friends. In our many conversations, Matthew helped me to hone my skills as an educator, but more importantly, helped to shape my vision of students and education. His cohesive and carefully considered worldview challenged me to think through my own views on topics such as the purpose of education, interdisciplinary teaching, and the historical roots of current philosophies of education.
In addition to countless conversations, I was also able to observe Matthew teach on a number of occasions. He has a humble, humorous, and thoughtful demeanor in the classroom. His students feel free to ask questions, and he leads them to answers using their own intuitions. You can almost feel the connections being made in the students' minds. He is one of the best questioners I have ever known, and his students benefit because they are discovering truth daily rather than simply receiving it.
For these reasons and more, I highly recommend Matthew as a teacher, tutor, mentor, and future scholar. If I had children myself, I would jump at the opportunity for them to be taught by him.
- Caroline Simmons Tolly, Former Upper School History Teacher
Covenant Classical School, Naperville, IL
I have worked closely with Matthew Farrelly for six years when he was a full-time teacher in the Humanities department in our upper school. Matthew taught both Bible as Literature and Introductory Logic courses to students in middle and high school. Matthew’s investment in his students is multi-fold. From a pedagogical perspective, he is deeply committed to providing them with both the tools and skills necessary to think critically and responsibly, write purposefully and persuasively, and speak with confidence and clarity. He is also concerned with their growth as individuals and to train them to make decisions in community both in and outside the classroom. Matthew’s classes were largely discussion-based and required energetic engagement from the students.
Matthew’s personal dedication to the development of our Humanities department was evidenced by his membership on our Literature committee which exists to refine, align and integrate our Literature curriculum with the mission of our school and state and national standards. Matthew himself is a life-long learner and actively seeks opportunities for professional development with a view to enriching the experience of his own students and engaging in robust dialogue with educators from different regions and traditions. Matthew is specifically interested in practicing and shaping pedagogical methods that reach and develop the whole student. I wholeheartedly endorse Matthew Farrelly.
- Rachel M. LoCascio
Former Lead Teacher, Rhetoric & Humane Letters
Covenant Classical School, Naperville, IL
Matthew's consistent reflection of grace and compassion, while at the same time upholding a solid commitment to personal integrity and accountability, was both refreshing and engaging. The unique combination of the two (accountability/commitment with compassion) gave [my son] pause (which doesn't happen very often!) and hopefully will provide inspiration for him to revisit as his understanding and practice of mindfulness grows.
- Beth Mallett
Matthew possesses a rare combination of intellectual prowess and genuine relatability. He has been invaluable in helping my children think and communicate in interdisciplinary and integrated ways across a wide range of topics in the disciplines of theology, logic, and literature. However, it is Matthew’s heart to see and promote true flourishing in his students that has been the greatest value in our children’s educational experience with him. I could not more highly recommend an individual as a tutor, mentor, and educational guide.
- Adam Mearse, PhD
Pastor, Naperville Church of Christ
I am a mother of a 7th grade student who attends a Classical Christian school where Mr. Farrelly taught biblical studies. As a Christian whose father and grandfather were pastors, I considered myself having a solid base of knowledge of the Bible. I quickly learned that with the depth of knowledge that Mr. Farrelly demonstrated, his unique style of teaching as well as his passion for the topic allowed my son as well as myself to take a different approach and look deeper into the traditional teachings of God's words. He had an ability to teach my 6th grade son a very complicated subject in an inventive way and my son truly enjoyed learning the subject. He has a true gift of teaching that shines each day.
- Janice Haywood
A truly exceptional educator who gets results at both head and heart levels. He has astounding depth of knowledge, communicates with creative effectiveness, and truly cares for his students. A rare individual. If I had my pick of teachers for my own kids, I would choose Matthew Farrelly.
- G. A. Ridgeway, MDiv, MAT, ThM
Mr. Farrelly was one of our son's favorite teachers (at Covenant Classical School). His passion for the subjects and knowledge made learning for our son something he embraced and looked forward to. We are sure he will bless many others with his grasp of knowledge and the teaching enterprise as well.
- Mike D'Virgilio
- Dr. Kelly S. Johnson
Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Neuropsychologist
I had the pleasure of working with Matthew when I was the Upper School History Teacher at Covenant Classical School. During my 2.5 years there, Matthew and I became close colleagues and friends. In our many conversations, Matthew helped me to hone my skills as an educator, but more importantly, helped to shape my vision of students and education. His cohesive and carefully considered worldview challenged me to think through my own views on topics such as the purpose of education, interdisciplinary teaching, and the historical roots of current philosophies of education.
In addition to countless conversations, I was also able to observe Matthew teach on a number of occasions. He has a humble, humorous, and thoughtful demeanor in the classroom. His students feel free to ask questions, and he leads them to answers using their own intuitions. You can almost feel the connections being made in the students' minds. He is one of the best questioners I have ever known, and his students benefit because they are discovering truth daily rather than simply receiving it.
For these reasons and more, I highly recommend Matthew as a teacher, tutor, mentor, and future scholar. If I had children myself, I would jump at the opportunity for them to be taught by him.
- Caroline Simmons Tolly, Former Upper School History Teacher
Covenant Classical School, Naperville, IL
I have worked closely with Matthew Farrelly for six years when he was a full-time teacher in the Humanities department in our upper school. Matthew taught both Bible as Literature and Introductory Logic courses to students in middle and high school. Matthew’s investment in his students is multi-fold. From a pedagogical perspective, he is deeply committed to providing them with both the tools and skills necessary to think critically and responsibly, write purposefully and persuasively, and speak with confidence and clarity. He is also concerned with their growth as individuals and to train them to make decisions in community both in and outside the classroom. Matthew’s classes were largely discussion-based and required energetic engagement from the students.
Matthew’s personal dedication to the development of our Humanities department was evidenced by his membership on our Literature committee which exists to refine, align and integrate our Literature curriculum with the mission of our school and state and national standards. Matthew himself is a life-long learner and actively seeks opportunities for professional development with a view to enriching the experience of his own students and engaging in robust dialogue with educators from different regions and traditions. Matthew is specifically interested in practicing and shaping pedagogical methods that reach and develop the whole student. I wholeheartedly endorse Matthew Farrelly.
- Rachel M. LoCascio
Former Lead Teacher, Rhetoric & Humane Letters
Covenant Classical School, Naperville, IL
Matthew's consistent reflection of grace and compassion, while at the same time upholding a solid commitment to personal integrity and accountability, was both refreshing and engaging. The unique combination of the two (accountability/commitment with compassion) gave [my son] pause (which doesn't happen very often!) and hopefully will provide inspiration for him to revisit as his understanding and practice of mindfulness grows.
- Beth Mallett
Matthew possesses a rare combination of intellectual prowess and genuine relatability. He has been invaluable in helping my children think and communicate in interdisciplinary and integrated ways across a wide range of topics in the disciplines of theology, logic, and literature. However, it is Matthew’s heart to see and promote true flourishing in his students that has been the greatest value in our children’s educational experience with him. I could not more highly recommend an individual as a tutor, mentor, and educational guide.
- Adam Mearse, PhD
Pastor, Naperville Church of Christ
I am a mother of a 7th grade student who attends a Classical Christian school where Mr. Farrelly taught biblical studies. As a Christian whose father and grandfather were pastors, I considered myself having a solid base of knowledge of the Bible. I quickly learned that with the depth of knowledge that Mr. Farrelly demonstrated, his unique style of teaching as well as his passion for the topic allowed my son as well as myself to take a different approach and look deeper into the traditional teachings of God's words. He had an ability to teach my 6th grade son a very complicated subject in an inventive way and my son truly enjoyed learning the subject. He has a true gift of teaching that shines each day.
- Janice Haywood
A truly exceptional educator who gets results at both head and heart levels. He has astounding depth of knowledge, communicates with creative effectiveness, and truly cares for his students. A rare individual. If I had my pick of teachers for my own kids, I would choose Matthew Farrelly.
- G. A. Ridgeway, MDiv, MAT, ThM
Mr. Farrelly was one of our son's favorite teachers (at Covenant Classical School). His passion for the subjects and knowledge made learning for our son something he embraced and looked forward to. We are sure he will bless many others with his grasp of knowledge and the teaching enterprise as well.
- Mike D'Virgilio
