Park Hill teacher Matt Magnuson named district Secondary Star for DECA work

Matt Magnuson, a marketing teacher and DECA advisor at Park Hill High School, was recognized by Dr. Kimbrell, superintendent at Park Hill, as the district’s Secondary Star award winner for his work preparing students for competitions and future careers.

Magnuson said he has taught at Park Hill High School for 22 years and has 28 years in education overall. He described DECA as a program that connects classroom learning to real-world business experience: "It allows me to, take take what we're learning in the classroom and and provide opportunities for kids to to travel and to compete and to find leadership roles and and potentially internships and eventually careers and jobs." The program, he said, gives students chances to develop skills that help them find or create work in fields they enjoy.

An unnamed student who spoke during the recognition described the program’s practical benefits and its influence on career choices, saying, "He makes us really prepared, like way more prepared than other schools for our all of our competitions." Superintendent Dr. Kimbrell announced Magnuson as the district secondary star, noting the recognition was chosen from among hundreds of teachers; the superintendent also said Magnuson had been nominated by a district student's family member.

Colleagues and students offered congratulations; the transcript includes praise that Magnuson "lead[s] with integrity, positivity, and high expectations" and highlighted his daily support for students' growth in confidence. The recognition focused on Magnuson’s role in DECA and his long teaching career at Park Hill High School. No formal actions or votes were recorded in the provided transcript.

The school and district congratulated Magnuson on the award and thanked him for his work with students.