Photo by Zoe Kleinbord

Math teacher Steven Kerr responds to a question from his students. The class was reviewing for a quiz and Kerr was taking the time to clear up any confusion.

“Aha!” is the word that gives math teacher Steven Kerr a feeling of achievement. Whether it be when a student finally understands an equation, or a player mastering a new move, witnessing that moment of growth drives Kerr to continue to do what he does.

Joy fills room 232 as Kerr teaches the class. Kerr has been teaching for 20 years, but never actually planned for his life to turn out this way.

“When I was in high school, I had no intention of going to college. I really didn’t like school because I had trouble taking notes, etc. but I found out I had an auditory learning disability and I switched schools.I had a few really good teachers and coaches that made me change my mind so I thought I’d pay it forward for a year, and then I don’t know here I am 20 years later,” Kerr said.

Though Kerr was only ever planning on teaching for a year or two, he did have a few goals in mind. He planned to not only give back to the generation of students below him, but also to change what he felt was wrong with his school experiences. His goal was to enforce an idea he wished he knew when he was a student.

“In my high school there was a lot of us versus them mentality, so the goal was to sort of break down that barrier to make sure everyone realizes we’re all on the same team,” Kerr said.

Kerr not only had a good understanding of teamwork from his experiences as a student, but also from his time as a teammate and cast member.

“I liked the social aspect and I got involved in all sorts of stuff; I actually played both soccer and lacrosse, I danced in high school, [and] I was in plays,” Kerr said.

In his ‘giving back’ for the support he got as a student, he hopes that he can pass down the helpful advice given to him, to the students he teaches.

“I hope the takeaway is that I’m there for them no matter what, whether it’s about math, whether it’s about.. doesn’t matter! When I say your integrity is more important than your math grade, I mean it; I just want the kids to become confident learners,” Kerr said.

Kerr has taken his school experiences and used that to greater support his students.

He is able to create this relationship with his students through his caring personality, which everyone around him admires.

“Mr. Kerr is just warm, caring and kind, loves students and is just willing to go above and beyond [to] work with them at lunch or after school,” math teacher John Chase said.