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Las Vegas Valley

Spotlight On: Kevin Kloeker

Corps Year: 2008 Alma Mater: University of Kentucky School: Las Vegas High School Grade/subjects taught: High School Biology

What does the achievement gap look like in your school?

There are students who have been pushed aside due to their special needs, or students who have yet to learn to read, yet get passed ahead. I have students that should be reviewing graphs, but are instead learning them for the first time. I see a school that is showing growth, but is still not the same as the school that I graduated from.

What do you think is the greatest misconception people have about the Las Vegas Valley?

People believe that the Las Vegas Valley is a place that is solely here for people to pass through. They think that it's not a real city with real problems. Unfortunately, people who live in the Las Vegas Valley have little confidence in public schools. I was at a store and was talking to the cashier about my new career, and she offered a very negative perception regarding students in the region. There is a pessimistic attitude towards this school system, and I have a crusade to change the minds of the people here in the Valley.

What was the most difficult part of your transition to the Las Vegas Valley and how did you overcome it?

The most difficult part of the transition was jumping from place to place with little time to settle down and take a breath. And I am slowly starting to figure out the organization that is needed in order to efficiently teach everything that needs to be taught. I am simply working harder and harder in order to achieve this level of organization and get into a routine.