FORT MYERS, Fla. - s4story -- Nova Classical STEM Academy has appointed Matt Sheets, an accomplished educator and servant leader with 17 years of experience, as its founding principal ahead of the school's inaugural 2026-2027 academic year.

Sheets joins Nova Classical STEM Academy following a distinguished career in public education, where he served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Cabot Public School District in Arkansas. Over the course of his career, he has led schools recognized as National Showcase Schools for character education and National Diamond Schools to Watch, while also guiding STEM and robotics programs to top state and world rankings.

A graduate with a degree in business administration at Arkansas State University, Sheets began his professional career in banking and finance before transitioning into education through a nontraditional licensure pathway. After serving as an instructional paraprofessional, he spent seven years in the classroom as a math teacher before going back to Arkansas State for a master's degree in educational leadership — driven by a desire to expand his impact from a single classroom to an entire campus.

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Sheets brings seven years of experience as a head principal, most recently as Cabot Junior High North, leading schools through both traditional academic years and the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is known for cultivating cultures rooted in character, virtue and integrity, emphasizing that academic excellence must be paired with strong moral foundations.

At Nova Classical STEM Academy, Sheets will help launch what school leaders describe as the first institution of its kind to intentionally blend the timeless principles of classical education with a forward-thinking STEM focus.

Throughout his career, Sheets has embraced a servant leadership philosophy, modeling character and service for both students and staff. He believes leadership is demonstrated through action — from empowering teacher leaders to modeling high standards in everyday interactions.

As founding principal, Sheets will play a key role in hiring and building Nova's inaugural team of educators. He said the school is seeking teachers who are deeply committed to student success and are passionate about delivering engaging instruction.

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Sheets and his wife, Tracey, are relocating to Southwest Florida from Arkansas. The couple has raised two children who are now thriving in their university programs — a success Sheets attributes to the same values of integrity, hard work and character he champions in his schools.

"We want to create the world's greatest school experience from day one," he said. "Families who choose Nova Classical STEM Academy deserve the very best, and we intend to deliver."

Candidates interested in joining Nova Classical STEM Academy's founding faculty can view current openings and apply online at NovaClassical.net/JobOpenings, (https://novaclassical.net/apps/pages/?type=d&uREC_ID=622088&pREC_ID=1193102) or email NovaCareers@dsssp.org for additional information.