Oberlin's Kurt Russell is National Teacher of the Year

OBERLIN — When Kurt Russell was revealed to be the National Teacher of the Year in a live television broadcast Tuesday morning, all hell broke loose at Oberlin High School. The entire student body had gathered in the auditorium to watch the announcement, which was made on CBS Mornings. It came just after 8 a.m., and in a heartbeat the room was on its feet, hugging and screaming for a favorite teacher, and holding up signs bearing his name. "He is the whole high school experience," senior Pearl-Hannah Gunn said. She said Russell has been a mentor, helping students with personal issues as much as textbook materials. It was Russell who wrote Gunn's personal letters of recommendation for college applications and gave her key advice to send her on her way. "He actually runs the high school," senior Ryley Steggall said. "When you look up Oberlin High School in the dictionary, it's just a picture of Mr. Russell. He holds the school together like no other person." It's no surprise that Russell has become immensely popular in the 25 years during which he's taught history and coached varsity basketball, Principal Brent Betts said. "Kurt cares, and it's evident that he cares," he said. "It's evident by what he says and how he handles himself. If you're ever in a conversation with him, you watch his eyes and you see he is engaged." Russell is the first Black man named the National Teacher of the Year in the program's nearly 60-year history, according to the Ohio Education Association. He credits Larry Thomas as his inspiration — Thomas was the first Black male teacher he'd ever had, and the way he dressed and carried himself showed Russell that teaching was an attainable career goal. Of the nation's roughly 3 million teachers, only 2 percent are Black men, Russell said. "You talk to educators, and a lot of them remember that first diverse teacher they had," Oberlin Schools Superintendent David Hall said. "For a lot of people, Kurt may be, while traveling around next year, the first diverse teacher they see. That's an inspiration." He said Russell will have a year-long sabbatical to travel the nation, speaking at between 250 and 300 venues in his capacity as National Teacher of the Year. Yet he'll remain involved in the school system whenever possible. Hall said an office will be set up for Russell's use at Oberlin Elementary School, and he will still spend time next door at the high school, dropping in whenever possible. What's behind Russell's popularity? Betts said a key reason is that in his classes, every student has a voice. Russell has advocated for letting teens speak openly and honestly about their own experiences and how they relate to the curriculum, he said. That freedom has been especially important to students of color, Hall said. Russell teaches electives on African-American history and race, gender and oppression, which strike a chord with Oberlin's diverse student body — often there is a two- or three-year waiting list to get into his classes. His methods are designed to ask students to think about and debate tough questions, usually far more in-depth than they've ever been challenged before. Asked on CBS Mornings how he felt about political efforts to ban teaching of critical race theory, Russell said he doesn't teach it. "What I teach is history," he said. "I try to make sure my students have the most opportunity to learn." Students should see themselves in the curriculum, and should have access to a diverse, well-rounded education, he said. Critical race theory has been hot-button issue for conservative candidates this election cycle, with widespread calls to ban it in public schools — even though it is only taught as a graduate-level college course and not in secondary education. Still, Republicans in Florida and Texas have passed anti-CRT bills to limit how the history of racism and slavery can be taught. Now Ohio Republicans are seeking to follow suit, introducing House Bill 327 to prohibit schools from "teaching, advocating or promoting divisive concepts." It seeks to ban any attempt to recognize systemic racism in the United States, including the ways people may unknowingly perpetuate racist ideas. State Republican legislators have also introduced House Bill 616, seeking to emulate Florida's "Parental Rights in Education Law," widely known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill. If successful, it would ban discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity with students up to third grade; and limit it for grades four to 12. If either bill passes, it may change how Russell is allowed to teach, Hall said. "I believe Kurt just gives kids an opportunity to think," he said. "He doesn't give controversy, but he does have a lot of debate in his classroom, debate of issues." Junior Isaac Thompson remembers taking one of Russell's classes as a freshman, and said he was blown away: "You really have to pay attention. He really wants you to learn, to elevate you as a student." Thompson and fellow Oberlin Phoenix varsity basketball player Andre Yarber have been coached by Russell for years. They said his lessons don't end at the classroom door, but extend to the gym as well. "He wants to get you better, but he also cares about what kind of a person you are off the court, outside of school," Yarber said. Russell, who traveled to New York city to accept the National Teacher of the Year honors, will be welcomed back with a celebration at 10 a.m. Thursday at Oberlin High School. A parade will be held in his honor May 14. Named the Ohio Teacher of the Year last fall, Russell was chosen as National Teacher of the Year from among four finalists, all teachers of the year in their states of Hawaii, Colorado and Pennsylvania. The honor has been bestowed each year for the past six decades by the Council of Chief State School Officers. "Kurt's extensive career shows the power of educators to shape the lives of students from the classroom to extracurricular activities to the basketball court," said CCSSO Chief Executive Officer Carissa Moffat Miller. "Dedicated educators like Kurt will be key to helping students recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and set them up for success in college and careers." A statement from the organization's selection committee said Russell is "a powerful advocate who always puts students at the center of his work. With more than two decades in the classroom and strong connections to his community, he speaks with warmth and honesty on how schools can best meet students' needs." This is far from the first award to recognize the longtime Oberlin teacher's achievements. He previously was named Teacher of the Year by the Oberlin Heritage Center and the Oberlin chapter of the NAACP, and as Coach of the Year and Northeast Ohio Coach of the Year by the Lorain County Basketball Association. "Kurt Russell is an inspiring educator, leader and role model who is fully committed to his students' success," said Stephanie Siddens, interim superintendent of public instruction at the Ohio Department of Education. "His passion for ensuring students are engaged and enthusiastic about learning is evident. Ohio is proud to have exceptional educators like Mr. Russell who strive to connect with their students and make a positive impact on their lives while ensuring they receive the high-quality education they deserve." "The Ohio Education Association extends our warmest congratulations to Kurt Russell on this very well-deserved honor," President Scott DiMauro said. "Kurt exemplifies the leadership and courage of Ohio educators who deliver age-appropriate lessons on the tough topics to empower their students to become the best versions of themselves as strong critical thinkers and future leaders. To have CCSSO recognize Kurt Russell as the 2022 National Teacher of the Year is to recognize the importance of honesty in education for all students across Ohio and the United States." Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.