Educator Spotlight: Kevin Kroger

KEVIN KROGER

HARRISBURG HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AND COACH

Home: Lives in Centerville, grew up in Alcester. Family: Wife Sylvia was an educator and is now a rural mail carrier . Daughter Emily recently graduated from Augustana University and son William is a senior at Centerville High School . Education: Graduate of Alcester High School and Dakota State University . Harrisburg High School career: Started teaching and coaching at Harrisburg High School right out of college . Currently teaches biology and AP biology . Track coach for 34 years (28 years as head coach).

IMPORTANT INFLUENCE THE EVOLUTION OF HARRISBURG SCHOOLS

(Students at all grade levels) were all in one building when I started teaching. There were around 200 Teacher and coach Kevin Kroger . students in grades 9-12 – there are about 1,200 now. People always ask: ‘Are kids different now that you’re in a bigger district?’ They aren’t. They are exactly the same. You have some from every aspect of life. In Harrisburg, they’ve always had the good work ethic and good values. I haven’t seen them change since ’86 when I started – the kids are basically the same. The thing I do miss is not knowing every kid walking down the hall – but it is what it is. Back then, I would have taught every one of them. I taught physical science, biology and chemistry – some of them I would have had three years in row.

My dad was a teacher and influenced me into going into education . My track coach at Dakota State, Dave Gottlsleben, had a positive outlook, the way he treated people, and his passion for track and life in general. He was the kind of person you enjoyed working for as an athlete and he inspired me to be a teacher and coach with that kind of influence on kids.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF IF YOU WERE STARTING TODAY?

Probably those first few years, I was a little more rigid, intense, hot-headed. I’d tell myself to relax and enjoy it more. I think that’s part of the learning process when you’re young like that .

WHAT WOULD YOUR STUDENTS AND ATHLETES SAY ABOUT YOU?

I try to make a connection with them and try to let them know I’m not out to get them in any way. I’m here for their benefit. I find that is more productive than being incredibly stringent with rules. They’ll respond to that. I see it in the classroom and the extracurriculars .

MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF BEING A TEACHER AND COACH

It’s simple – the satisfaction of seeing kids succeed. That kind of buy-in of what you’re trying to relay to them and see that payoff in grades or performance. It doesn’t have to be the best student or the best athlete that you get satisfaction from. Any kid who has success at any level is rewarding. A lot of parts of education are frustrating, but as long as you have those relationships with the students, it’s worth doing. Being here this many years, you get to work with a lot of good staff members and good administrators, too. That’s rewarding.

GREATEST HIGHLIGHT OF COACHING CAREER

We won the state track meet in ’96. That’s something that’s difficult to do and so it was definitely a highlight.

SOMETHING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME …

We live in a 1901 Victorian house and I like to work on that. We’ve been in our house for 16-17 years and we’re going to put it on the market in the next month. We’ve got it pretty much up to date and we’re going to downsize a little bit. I also like to work on old cars – old Chevys, usually pickups from the ‘60s or ‘70s. I’m always looking for a new project.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?

The kids do every day – although not necessarily externally.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT?

It’s simple – it’s the kids. I wouldn’t still be doing this after all these years if I didn’t enjoy seeing them. If I could just stay in my classroom and not deal with any of the other stuff, it’s a good day .

THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE YOU GIVE STUDENTS

Through role modeling and actually telling them: If you want to do something and you work hard at it, it’s generally going to pay off for you.