Physical Education teacher and coach Matthew Beaver of Salisbury, North Carolina, succumbed to Covid-19 on Jan. 19, 2021. Photo credit: Salisbury post.

We are sad to report that Covid-19 has claimed the life of yet another beloved educator. Matthew Beaver, a physical education teacher and coach from Salisbury, North Carolina, succumbed to the disease on Jan. 19, 2021. He was only 40 years old.

Matthew was born on Nov. 24, 1980, in Christianburg, Virginia. He graduated from East Rowan High School in Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1999. Following high school, Matthew earned his degrees in Health and Physical Education. He first attended Piedmont Bible College. While there, he played college basketball. He also attended High Point University. In 2006, Matthew was honored a the Outstanding Student Teacher and Outstanding Physical Education Major.

Matthew inaugurated his career as an educator when he accepted an interim position at Southeast Middle School in the Rowan-Salisbury School System in 2006. At the time of his passing, the beloved educator was teaching physical education at Knox Middle School in Salisbury. He also served his school as a coach of basketball and tennis. He had been employed there since 2007, a total of 13 years.

Matthew was highly respected by his students, their parents, and his colleagues, and he will be fondly remembered. “Great with the kids — his kids and students. He affected so many people in a positive manner, made me a better teacher,” remarked colleague James Phillips. Co-worker Justin Pauley agreed. “He would get to work early. He would never miss. He’d put everybody above himself. His wife, his kids, he bragged about, loved them, talked about them constantly,” Pauley recalled. The beloved educator leaves behind a wife, Ruth, who is also a teacher, and two young children.

To read more about Matthew Beaver, see this article published by the Salisbury Post.