Henrico’s Top Teachers – Matt Sprinkel, Rivers Edge Elementary, exceptional education

Matt Sprinkel, an exceptional education teacher at Rivers Edge Elementary, got his start in teaching in college at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“When I was in college, I worked for VCU as part of one of their programs that helps adults with disabilities return to work or go to work,” he said. From there, he said, it felt like a natural progression to work his passion for helping others – and specifically children – into a career.

And during his 18 year teaching career, Sprinkel has had many moments that showed him he chose the right path.

While it may be hard to keep in touch with his students after elementary school, he spends his summers working with middle school students. He is able to reconnect with his former students there and see the progress that they have made.

“Over the years, there's been a lot of moments where I see success in a child that has been able to experience very little of it,” Sprinkel said. “Seeing them have some form of success in their life in whichever way that may take for them” is one of the most fulfilling parts of his job.

Even when he is not able to see the progress he has made with his students, those around him sing his praises.

“Though it has only been about six months [that] my child has been with Mr. Spinkel, I personally have seen a world of difference in my child’s behavior,” one nominator wrote. “He has adapted to be kind and courteous, responsive and be more independent.”

But that isn’t to say it has been an easy job.

After working in Chesterfield County for years, Sprinkel took a break from teaching. He soon realized that helping young people in the community overcome hardships was a passion of his, and he could not imagine working in another field.

Sprinkel made a return to teaching, but this time in Henrico.

“I wanted a change of scenery,” he said. “I wanted a different type of school that I had been teaching at for many years.”

There, he found a renewed sense of fulfillment and was able to build strong relationships with other faculty and school staff, whom he credits his success to. One nominator described the difference he has made in Henrico.

“Mr. Sprinkel is a great teacher to work with for the students with learning disabilities,” the nominator said. “ His passion, patience and dedication for teaching has made a significant impact on the kids.”