Matthew Haynes

Matthew began his career in 2001, framing houses for Zome’s Construction, where he was instructed by Jon Clapper with 5 Star Builders. While framing during his college years, he pursued and successfully obtained a nursing degree at South Dakota State University. He now leverages more than 20 years of professional experience across nursing, construction and education.

His nursing career officially started in 2006 within the Sanford ICU. After four years in intensive care, Matthew transitioned to the emergency department in 2010, gaining more critical care and trauma experience until 2013.

To achieve a better work-life balance and spend more time with his family, he established his own construction company in 2013. The flexibility of daytime hours allowed him to pursue his passion for coaching his sons’ baseball and basketball teams. Working closely with students and athletes sparked a realization of his potential to inspire young minds. This realization led him to a career in education.

From 2016 to 2018, he taught building trades, as well as middle and high school science in Montrose. In the summer of 2018, he joined Southeast Tech as an adjunct construction instructor.

That fall, he started teaching full-time in the nursing program at STC. In the following years, upon building numerous houses and projects, he transitioned into his current role as the full-time Program Director for the Construction Management program.

Matthew’s teaching philosophy centers on encouraging students through a multitude of learning scenarios. This approach helps them cultivate the critical thinking skills necessary to be effective advocates for all stakeholders: clients, customers, patients, co-workers and community members.

He is grateful for a father who motivated him with statements like “Can’t never did nothing,” a mother who instilled in him a most generous heart, a wife and family who’s unconditional love has supported him through all his “out of the box” endeavors.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Biology, SDSU - Brookings
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, SDSU - Brookings
• Secondary South Dakota Teaching Certificate