Matt Eicheldinger

Matt Eicheldinger (born c. 1987) is an American author, former middle school teacher, and social media personality. He is best known for his Matt Sprouts series of middle-grade novels and his memoir Sticky Notes: Memorable Lessons from Ordinary Moments. His debut novel became a The New York Times and USA Today bestseller in its first week of publication.

Early life and education Eicheldinger grew up on Colorado's western slope, where he developed interests in soccer and reading comics. He attended Concordia University in St. Paul on a track scholarship, graduating in 2009. During his college years, he was an eight-time NSIC Champion in men's track and field. In 2024, he was inducted into the Concordia-St. Paul Athletic Hall of Fame.

Teaching career After completing his student teaching in Fridley, Minnesota, Eicheldinger began his teaching career in the Wayzata school district, where he taught middle school language arts for over 15 years.

Writing career

Early attempts and rejection Eicheldinger wrote his first manuscript, Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes, at age 22 in 2010, completing it in under 30 days. The book was originally created as a teaching tool to help him connect with his students by sharing relatable childhood stories.

For the next 15 years, Eicheldinger faced repeated rejection from publishers, receiving over 200 rejection letters from literary agents and publishers.

Social media presence Eicheldinger posts on social media platforms, particularly Instagram and TikTok, where he shares educational content and storytelling. His videos have accumulated over 100 million views across platforms, making him one of the most followed teacher accounts on Instagram with more than 390,000 followers. His viral content has directly contributed to book sales, with one viral video reportedly selling 600 copies in a single weekend. The Matt Sprouts series is semi-autobiographical, drawing from Eicheldinger's own childhood experiences growing up as what he describes as "the fastest kid on Colorado's western slope."

Personal life Eicheldinger lives in Bloomington, Minnesota with his wife and two children. Matt Sprouts and the Day Nora Ate the Sun (September 2024, Andrews McMeel Publishing) Matt Sprouts and The Search for the Chompy Wompers (June 2025, Andrews McMeel Publishing)

Children's poetry (ages 7-12) Holes in My Underwear: Over 100 Poems That Will Knock Your Socks Off (September 2025, Andrews McMeel Publishing)

Adult non-fiction (all ages) Sticky Notes: Memorable Lessons from Ordinary Moments (October 2024, Andrews McMeel Publishing) - USA Today bestseller

Young adult fiction (ages 12+) When the Rain Came (March 2026, Andrews McMeel Publishing)