I am so happy to be a part of the OLV family!! 

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• My name is  Matthew Barca.   I currently teach 3rd and 4th Grade Math, Science, and Religion.  Teaching requires a daily dose of enthusiasm mixed with a lifetime's worth of commitment and dedication.   
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•  My roots trace back to Yonkers and Catholic Education.  I went to Saint-Denis Grade School and then onto Sacred Heart High School In Yonkers.  I graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and received my Master’s Degree from Mercy College along with my NYS Certification.
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• My first job was as a 7th-grade teacher at Mount Carmel -Saint Anthony School in Yonkers.  I was 22 years old and quickly learned that being a teacher meant that you were part of a family.   A family that comes together to learn, love, and grow as an essential part of the development of our students.  After a few years there; I then taught history at Sacred Heart High School.  It was my old high school and I gave all I had to give to help every student that ever needed me.  
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• I spent the past few years as an elementary school substitute in the Yonkers Public School System.   While I met many amazing people and students; I noticed the absence of that family atmosphere that I helped foster in my previous positions.
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• Our Lady of Victory School has rekindled my heart and soul when they welcomed me to join their family.   I am in awe of the amount of support and love that the school staff has for every child in our care.  I hope that I can be a source of comfort and service to them as well.    
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• I love dogs and will often use them as examples during our Science topics.  They have all made guest video appearances in our lessons for instance displaying what push and pull forces are as well as examples of instinct and learned behavior.    Quinn, Delilah, Bear, and Bella often come up in our Religious discussions.  The heart of a dog can teach us a lot about hope, comfort, love, and joy.  Occasionally, my girlfriend Marci and I will help transport shelter dogs to adoption centers and foster homes.  
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• I come from a family of service.  My father is Joseph Barca, retired Yonkers Police Captain.  He was a police officer for over 45 years.  The only thing longer than that is the marriage between him and my mom.  My two brothers are also Yonkers Police officers.  Together as a family we have helped raise almost a million dollars for the Special Olympics with our annual Polar Plunge in New Rochelle.   My family has taught me a lot about dedication to a cause and following through on my dreams. 
   
• I work hard every day like it’s my vocation.   I hope to use the gospels as my guidelines to be the best example of compassion, faith, and service to my students.  I look forward to growing within the OLV community. 
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  Teacher's Aide:
  Our Teacher’s aide is Mr. Jayson Morrison. He started working in 2019. Before becoming the 4th Grade Teacher Aide, Mr. Morrison has worked with Pre-k 3, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade. He also ran the “Archie” Video Club in 2020 and the OLV Track Club in 2022.

  
  
  
  Curriculum Information:
  • 3rd Grade Math - Great Minds Eureka covers the following topics: multiplication/division of units of 0-9 and multiples of 10, place value and problem-solving with units of measure, area, and perimeter, and fractions as numbers on the number line
  • 4th Grade Math - Great Minds Eureka covers the following topics: place value, rounding, algorithms for addition and subtraction, unit conversions, problem-solving with metric measurement, multi-digit multiplication and division, angle measure, plane figures, fraction equivalence, ordering and operations​​​​​​
  • 3rd Grade Science - Discovery Education Techbook covers the following topics: playground forces (moving objects, static force), life cycles for survival, surviving in changing environments, and weather impacts
  • 4th Grade Science - Discovery Education Techbook covers the following topics: car crashes (energy and motion, speed, energy), energy resources (fuels, renewable/nonrenewable resources, environment), Earth’s changing surface (landscapes, volcanoes, mapping landforms), earthquakes, and senses and survival
  • 3rd Grade Religion - Sadlier’s Christ in Us covers the following topics: respect for life, Jesus’ miracles, Blessed Trinity, parables, Ten Commandments, the Church, sacraments, Ascension, and Pentecost
  • 4th Grade Religion - Sadlier’s Christ in Us covers the following topics: an examination of conscience, respect for life, virtues of holiness, Ten Commandments, Final Judgement, covenant, Christian Season, corporal and spiritual works of Mercy, Lent, the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Catholic Church

• Suggested Websites:
  • www.discoveryeducation.com 
  • https://greatminds.org/math
  • https://login.i-ready.com/

• If you ever need to get in contact with me, please message me on Class Dojo or via email: mbarca@ourladyofvictoryschool.org