No Hair Because He Cares

Intermediate School Physical Education Teacher Matt Prom just lost all his hair in October, and he can’t stop smiling about it.

Prom, with dark locks as plush as a brown bear’s, got the extreme haircut because his students had achieved their final Fun Run fundraising goal of $3,000. His school greatly exceeded that, earning $6,075. The Primary School, which also held a Fun Run, raised $7,500. These donations will fund Field Day activities, PE equipment, and playground equipment at the schools.

“As a specialist in elementary schools, you get to work with every student and you can set a culture and environment that goes further than most because of that,” Prom said. “It’s important for me to find ways to be silly and goofy at times, while still maintaining high expectations and getting students more involved. Also I’m building my legacy. I want to be the PE teacher who did whatever he could for his students and helped them learn.”

When the Fun Run kicked off in September, staff held fun activities to reward student participation in a timed run around the track, during which students sought to lap the loop as many times as possible in under 20 minutes. Students then sought donations, charging a flat fee or a per-lap rate. The final fundraising day came on Oct. 17, and then the great head shaving took place on Oct. 28. Prom feels comfortable with his new look.

“I’ve had a buzz cut my entire life, so short hair isn’t an issue and I also shared with the students that I have been bald once before,” Prom said. “When I was a junior in college, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent a very intensive chemo, and as he lost his hair, I shaved mine. He has been undergoing weekly treatments for the last four years. Hair means nothing to you until you don’t have it, and I’ve always been comfortable with myself and not afraid to look different."

— Jillian Daley