Matha Holland has been named the 2024-2025 Fairfi eld High School Teacher of the Year.
“I am honored to be named Teacher of the Year for Fairfield High School,” Holland said. “It reinforces my determination to create a welcoming and positive environment where my students feel safe and valued, and motivates me to strive to be a positive influence in their lives.”
Holland was raised in the small community of Antelope, Texas, about 37 miles south of Wichita Falls. She attended Jacksboro ISD and graduated from Jacksboro High School in 1999.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Sciences with secondary teaching certification from Tarleton State University in May 2005.
Holland is in her twentieth year of teaching. She taught one year at Corsicana High School and has been at Fairfield High School for the past 19 years.
“Mrs. Holland builds and maintains strong, positive relationships with her students. Mrs. Holland has empathy and a passion for teaching and learning. Her dedication to education, leadership, and empowering students is truly inspiring,” Fairfield High School Principal Sonya Gibson said. “Mrs. Holland goes above and beyond, coordinating the English as a Second Language program, mentoring new teachers, and serving on the campus instructional leadership team. Mrs. Holland is always willing to help students and staff to become better. She is selfish and has a genuine servant heart. FHS is very fortunate to have Mrs. Holland.”
She currently teaches Principles of Human Services, Dollars and Sense, Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness, Human Growth and Development, and Family and Community Services.
This is also her fourteenth year coordinating the English as a Second Language program at FHS. She is the advisor of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, in which her students have advanced to state each year for the last 19 years and to nationals twice. Holland currently serves as a teacher mentor, and serves on the Campus Instructional Leadership and the Campus Crisis teams.
In her career, she has also taught Career Connections, Food Science and Technology, Textile and Apparel Design, Fashion Merchandising, Individual and Family Life, Culinary Arts, Personal and Family Development, Clothing Construction, Child Development, Housing and Interior Design, Principles of Education and Training, Instructional Practices in Education, Principles of Hospitality, English as a Second Language 1-4, and Geometry.
When asked why she liked being an educator, she said, “I am blessed to have many of my students each of their four years of high school. One of the things I enjoy most about being a teacher is building connections with my students and getting to watch them grow, both academically and personally, during their time at FHS.”
Martha met her husband, Russell, in the band in college. They have been married for 22 years. They moved to Fairfield in January 2005, when he was hired as a band director at FISD. He is in his 21st year as a band director here.
They have two daughters. Bailey is a junior at FHS. She is an honor student and involved in band, where she is first trumpet and serves on the leadership team. She is also a drama club and BETA club member and competes in UIL Science, Journalism, and One Act Play. Her hobbies and interests range from art to ecology to paleontology, and many areas in between. Ava is in eighth grade at FJH and is a percussionist in the junior high band. She loves it when their family is all together, whether at home or on the road. She enjoys cooking, playing games (especially Aggravation and SkipBo), watching movies, listening to music, and being in or near the water.
During her free time, she most enjoys spending time with her family, both at home and traveling. She is an avid reader and enjoys many different genres. Holland loves to cook and develop new recipes. She also enjoys crafting and loves listening to all types of music; her favorites are jazz and classic rock, and of course, she is a huge fan of the Grand Band from Eagleland.
