Our Meet Us Monday Blog series continues, introducing you to our outstanding ILS teachers and staff. Check in each week to meet or better get to know one of our new or returning faculty members.
Today, we invite you go get to know another member of our ILS Upper School faculty, Mr. Matthew Braun, in his recent interview.
Mr. Braun has been volunteering at ILS in various capacities for the past 10 years. Last year he taught Upper School Logic for half of the year, and this year he is his first full year of teaching 6th and 7th grade Logic.
What is your favorite thing about ILS?
I am particularly fond of the Head of School. She's great.
What book are you currently reading?
Range by David Epstein, which is about the innovations that come from people who do not specialize in one area of study. I think it's interesting, given my interest in Classical Education, that people who keep learning new things that are different from what they chiefly pursue are able to make connections between science, philosophy, art, music, technology, and business.
Isaiah and I are also reading Silver Chair by CS Lewis. It's a fun adventure story.
What was your favorite thing you did this summer?
I got to go to a lot of parks with my son. We like finding new places to explore. We tend to make up names for the parks we go do, so Swamp Park (Huntley Meadows) and Trail Park (Monticello Park) are great for nature and seeing animals. Blue Train Park and Red Train Park are good for swinging, climbing, and seeing trains go by.
What is one place you would like to visit but have not yet been?
Israel and Alaska. They both are beautiful and hazardous, which is a great combination.
What was your favorite subject/class when you were in school?
History- I love any subject I can think of as a story.
What is your favorite book as a child?
I really liked science fiction as a young man, so I remember being engrossed by Ender's Game and Dune.
What is your favorite scripture verse?
I love the story of Simon Peter meeting Jesus in Luke Chapter 5. Jesus borrows his boat to preach to a crowd, and then tells him to go back out to try and catch some fish. Simon Peter has been working all night, he's tired, and he hasn't caught anything, so he's not in a good mood. Still, he does what Jesus recommends. Well it's a huge catch, and the nets almost break, and he calls his pals to come help, and they bring in a huge haul.
Simon Peter suddenly realizes he's dealing with the Messiah. His first response is one that I can really understand. He says "Get away from me. I'm a horrible person."
Jesus calls him to be a disciple by telling him he's going to pull people out of the water, instead of fish, which is a way of describing "saving" them in a way that a man who works on water would really understand, and he follows him from that day forward.
As a person who has worked hard jobs, often at night, and who is aware of my sin, I feel like I can understand Simon Peter's feelings that morning, and his reaction is exactly what we would expect. But Jesus tells him he wants his help, and he goes. I love that.