Kevin Lurten, resource educator

Q: What does a resource educator do?

A: I do some pull out and individual work with kids who have special needs or have different learning styles and learn differently but what confluence really likes us to do and the vast majority of what I do is pushing them, and I push them through all kinds of classes throughout the day and assist all students in those classes. Especially pushing them in like biology because it’s an EOC class. And I might have kids who have written expression minutes, so I push into creative writing classes to help assist them, or kids who help struggle in math. And while I’m in there not only am I assisting my special or resource education students. We help all students, which is really a benefit, because it’s always better to have two teachers than one.

Q: Do you have any long term goals for your position at Grand Center Arts Academy?

A: Well, I was very blessed to be able to come to this school. I used to work with the state, but I missed teaching. So I was asked by Gina [Bell-Moore] to come and interview, and after the interview she called and offered me a job. So I came back to teach as a teacher…At some point I’m probably going to get an administrative degree, I have a masters in special curriculum design. So at some point, especially since confluence encourages us and reimburse us as teachers. So probably reading specialist or administrative degree. People have told me I’d be a good administrator. I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not.

Q: At Grand Center Arts Academy, what are you looking forward to?

A: The beauty of this school is that you kids get to be who you truly are. Every other school I’ve taught at, kids were always like robots. They had uniforms, and if they wore the wrong socks they were in trouble. And another beauty of this school is I haven’t seen any bullying for kids being unique or different because that’s the norm here. So I expect to continue that and foster that and I expect to learn things. I’m excited to go to plays and help the school be even better than it is now…I’m excited to teach here. If I had kids I’d want to put them here too.

Q: Is there anything you want people to know about you?

A: I’m pretty straight forward. In education, you set your expectations and make them high, and people will achieve where you expect them to. I expect high achievement of myself and others. It’s very doable here.