Matthew Simon has been named as the Director of Education Policy for the Goldwater Institute. According to the Institute, Simon will be responsible for researching and developing policies to promote “education freedom and liberty.”
An Arizona native, Simon grew up in northwest Tucson and graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Political Science. After graduating, he started his career in education as a high school science teacher in rural Arkansas with Teach for America. He then worked for the Arkansas Region of Teach for America coaching and developing teachers in the program.
More recently, Simon served as the legislative research analyst for the Arizona Senate Committee on Education and then as the Senate majority policy advisor for education and education finance. He has also served as the director of government affairs for the Arizona Charter Schools Association.
“The Goldwater Institute is excited to welcome Matthew to our team,” said Goldwater Institute President and CEO Victor Riches. “His experience as a teacher gives him unique insight into how policy can shape the educational experience, and that perspective will aid in the development of policies that will help meet the needs of more students, teachers, and families.”