(December 16, 2024) - Tonight, D’Iberville Middle School Principal Matthew Elias was honored with the HCSD 2024-25 Administrator of the Year award. The special presentation took place during the Harrison County School Board meeting.
“I’m thrilled to even be considered for this honor amongst so many great administrators that I admire! I continue to do the best that I can for our beloved students and school. I’m so thankful that D’Iberville Middle School is being acknowledged through this award,” said Elias. “It is such a wonderful school and community that I am blessed to be a small part of.”
Elias has served as principal of D’Iberville Middle School for the last eight years. Before that, he spent four years as assistant principal at D’Iberville High. He started his career in education at DHS, where he taught Chemistry for six years. A University of Southern Mississippi graduate, Elias believes he made the right career choice.
“This is the most rewarding profession that directly touches the lives of children, our very future, as they grow,” said Elias. “This is such an impressionable age group. To see them reach their full potential here is one of the biggest honors. It is always so inspiring to have your former students return to say thank you - sharing their wonderful life stories - and some even come to work with you!”
Under Elias’ leadership, DMS has achieved an A rating from the Mississippi Department of Education for the 2023-2024 school year. Elias is quick to credit his teachers and staff for their hard work, dedication, and team spirit.
“My entire career has been in D’Iberville. I am blessed to work among the best people who go above and beyond for our students. One of the greatest gifts has been the trust placed in me by this wonderful community, our district leadership, and the school board. I truly believe in giving people the tools they need to do their job and trust them to shine. Especially in education, you surround yourself with great people, and we work together very well, creating a family environment focused on educating and loving our students. It’s a team effort. Our team has made me look good! Our faculty and support staff are true professionals working toward one common goal, and the students benefit,” said Elias.
Elias’ priorities are student safety and creating the best environment possible. He wholeheartedly believes in his school motto: Compassion, Respect, and Hard Work.
“One of our most important objectives is to create a strong work family centered around trust, with the same goal in mind - creating a safe and secure learning environment that consistently exudes our school motto, all while setting high expectations for each student to meet and exceed,” said Elias.
Elias credits his dad, Louis Elias, for setting a strong foundation.
“My dad has a true servant’s heart that shined for many years in the field of education. I’m blessed to be in this role, and hopefully, I can emulate and share his same values with our staff and students,” said Elias.
Elias understands that trust, transparency, and integrity are essential for success. He firmly believes that fostering mutual respect among all stakeholders will lead the school to continued advancement.
“D’Iberville Middle School’s success story is being written. We continue to forge and build on relationships and earn trust among the community leaders, members, and parents,” said Elias. “Being a parent myself, I know the importance of educating and nurturing our students, always making sure they’re in good hands.”
Elias and his wife Christy are the proud parents of two children – John Salem (8) and Ann Michael (4).
“I am truly grateful and humbled to receive this esteemed recognition, and I wholeheartedly share it with my incredible colleagues who made it possible. This means so much to me! Rest assured, D’Iberville Middle School will keep striving to Connect, Empower, and Thrive!” stated Elias.
A week before the school board recognition program, Harrison County School District Superintendent William Bentz and three HCSD assistant superintendents made a surprise visit to D'Iberville Middle to announce that Elias had been selected as the district’s 2024-25 Administrator of the Year. Elias was presented with a custom-designed HCSD logo jacket.
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