geoff: Finally tonight, my
conversation with 2022's
national teacher of the year.
This week the white house
honored high school history
teacher Kurt Russell from
Oberlin, Ohio.
I sat down with him to talk
about what this honor means and
both the joys and challenges of
teaching today.
What started you along the path
to teaching?
What was the inspiration?
Kurt: Two teachers.
My kindergarten teacher Ms.
Francine toss, a middle aged
white woman who just gave me
this passion for learning.
Her classroom was always filled
with love and joy, and she
introduced authors from
marginalized groups, women
authors and black authors.
And I just fell in love with
just the process of learning.
And then my eighth grade math
teacher was the first black male
teacher I ever had.
His name was Mr. Larry Thomas,
and he just gave me
representation.
Geoff: How have you kept your
students inspired?
Kurt: Oh, just trying to make
sure that their social emotional
needs are being fulfilled.
Just email and talking to them.
See them in the streets.
I work in the same school
district where I graduated from,
and so I live in the community.
And so I see them in the grocery
stores.
I see them at the park.
It's just trying to make that
human connection with them.
Geoff: What more do teachers
need in order to feel fully
supported in the classroom?
Kurt: You know, that's a great
question.
I think we need just to feel
respected.
A lot of times we have policies
that goes against the
fundamentals of teaching.
A lot of times you hear about
the crt, you hear about book
banning.
And I think teachers are the
experts in the classroom and we
need to be treated as such.
Geoff: Two that point, you teach
elective courses in
African-American history, as
well as race, gender and
oppression.
And you said during the white
house ceremony this past week
that students need to feel
represented in their coursework
in order for them to be
well-rounded.
Kurt: Students must see
themselves in the classroom and
curriculum, in order to empower
and engage.
That's why I created courses to
allow students to feel valued
.
Courses that deal with women's
rights, gay rights, and a survey
of black history.
It's important that my students
see themselves as I see them,
with unlimited potential and
full of gifts.
Geoff: What do you make of the
effort in your state and across
the country to really stifle
what students are taught when it
comes to identity, sexuality and
race?
Kurt: It's always been my
position to make sure that
students have a holistic
approach to learning.
I do not see my children
necessarily as students.
I see my children as
firefighters, police officers,
future teachers, doctors,
lawyers, where the case may be.
And when I see them as those
professions, I realized that
they need diversity and they
need to be able to connect with
all types of people.
And so it's very important for
me to give my students that
approach to learning.
Geoff: Do teachers, your
colleagues, do you feel as if
you've been targeted by the
culture wars at all?
Kurt: For my experience, no.
Oberlin high school, Oberlin
city schools, the city of
Oberlin is very supportive in
what I do as a teacher and what
other teachers are doing the
classroom.
We always have this position
that we are here for the
children, learner centered.
And I think that's what we do
very well.
Geoff: What was it like being at
the white house this past week,
being celebrated by your
colleagues and by the president
and first lady?
Kurt: Surreal.
Absolutely surreal.
First of all, president Biden
and Dr. Biden were so gracious
and cordial to open up their
homes to myself and the other
state teachers of the year.
It is an experience that I will
never forget.
Very emotional, and at the same
time, just realizing the history
behind it.
Geoff: How has this honor or how
will this honor change your
approach to the job?
Kurt: I think I'll become more
aware because I am learning.
It will give me the opportunity
to travel and to learn from
other great educators out there.
And so I could bring that back
to my students.
This will be all worthwhile.
Geoff: Kurt Russell,
congratulations and thanks again
for your time.