When two people are allowed to dream, both together and apart, amazing things can happen. For instance, if one partner has an intellect for mathematics, science and technology, and the other for music, culture and literature, well those dreams coming together could look a little something like Matt and Sarah Weinberg and the foundation of the new Destin private school, The Barrett School.
“We both have a passion for kids and we want to give them the education and belief systems we wish we had as kids,” Sarah said. “Matt gives the high school version of himself the education he wished he had, and I am just a voice of encouragement.”
But let’s rewind. Matt and Sarah met in 2011 as many millennials do, on a dating app, but after an eight-hour first date they both knew this was more than just a casual relationship. Both had long term goals and aspirations, but both were attracted to each other in a way that allowed for their dreams to begin to collide.
“At the time I was in medical school and Sarah was between schools,” Matt said. “I was involved in cancer research. I really liked being a doctor, but I realized that that wasn’t good for us because my work took me away from her a lot. So I went into education because a lot of people told me I would make a good teacher.”
In fact, Matt comes from a family of teachers, but the idea didn’t fully hit him until a stranger on a train in Africa told him he reminded him of his high school chemistry teacher. So, with his own extensive background and degrees in biochemistry, archaeology and medicine, Matt began teaching teachers about the benefits of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the classroom.
“I’ve been involved in almost every science there is,” Matt said. “I can connect nearly every science topic to other parts of a student’s learning, which is something that most students don’t get in schools today.”
Matt and Sarah settled down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to be near family, and welcomed two children, Sienna and Archer into their lives. But when the time came for Sienna to begin preschool, the Weinbergs found that the school they applied for would not accept her due to a developmental delay.
In 2020, during the height of the global pandemic, the Weinbergs decided to move to Destin, Florida. They were tired of striking out with education options and were ready for warmer weather. The couple welcomed their third child, Phoebe in 2021, but, once again, the couple couldn’t find a school option that fit their vision. So in 2024, Matt and his brother, Alex teamed up with therapists and educators Adrienne Seaborn and Audrey Hill to found The Barrett School.
“I wanted to create a school that accepted children regardless of their abilities,” Matt said. “The idea for the school was to get all types of students together and give them access to an education that brings technology, engineering, science and math into their lives in a fun and exciting way.”
The couple has now come full circle, having dreamt into reality a place where their passions meet and their children can thrive. Matt serves as Dean of Academics at The Barrett School, curating the curriculum as well as teaching science, math and robotics while Sarah volunteers her time to bring music into the classrooms, visiting the school weekly to offer musical enrichment.
The couple has not lost sight of their individual dreams, however, as Matt, a two-time published author, is currently working on a third book which will focus education in the current social-economical climate. He also posts weekly to his blog www.professormattw.com, where he explores STEM topics and education. Sarah has begun to explore her musical talents once more, with monthly live music events and has recently launched a podcast on www.listentosarahagain.com, focused on mental health called Inner Voice Lessons with Sarah Again. Sarah also plans on releasing a new music album in mid-2025.