Fast Facts:

• Number of Years at LA: 38
• Current Role:
  Student Success
  Magis Program Teacher and Coordinator
  Academic Drop-in Center "ADC" Coordinator
• Previous Roles:
  Math Teacher
  Campus Ministry - Summer Service Coordinator
  History Teacher
  OSH Teacher
• Hometown/Current Town: Chicago/Prospect Heights
• Education: 
  University of Illinois, Chicago: BA Math and History Education
  Concordia University: MA Math Education

What makes Loyola Academy a special place?

The people. I have been so fortunate to work with many inspiring colleagues over the years and, of course, the gift of teaching our amazing students. My first week at Loyola Academy back in August, 1987, I met Jim Serpe, legendary Math teacher who taught over 60 years between Loyola Academy and St. Ignatius. I asked him for advice on how he had taught for many years and was still passionate about teaching. He shared, “Kevin, love the students. If you love the students you are going to be a successful teacher.” His advice was spot on. And, of course, Loyola Academy’s mission is to send students out into the world who will love others, women and men for others.

Aside from the curriculum, what do you hope students learn from being in your class?

"Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care." My hope is that the students remember that they were and are cared for. They may forget what they learned, but students always remember how they felt.

Over the course of your time at Loyola, what has stayed the same?

The same passion for educating young people who will make a positive difference in the world that I experienced in my coworkers back in 1987 remains in my coworkers today. This passion is why I come here everyday and why everyday is a gift.

Over the course of your time at Loyola, what has changed?

Well, in 1987, Tim Devine was one of my students, and now in 2024, he is the Principal!

What advice do you have for students today?

The best advice I have is the advice and guidance from our school motto. Success is not about your achievements or how much money you make, it is about making a difference in the lives of others.

What Loyola moment will you never forget?

I always look back with gratitude and fondness at the Loyola House project that I was part of. The Loyola House project was a collaboration between Loyola Academy and one of our summer service partners at the time, C.O.A.P. (Christian Outreach to the Appalachian People), based in Harlan, Kentucky.

Over the course of two years, Loyola's Architecture Club, led by Mr. Jim Cleland, designed the house for a family. At the same time, Loyola's Mission Club, led by Mr. Bill Brandstrader, fundraised over $40,000 to fund the project. Then during one summer we organized eight different groups of students and adults on weekly trips to build the house.

C.O.A.P. selected the family who would live in the home, with the understanding that they would contribute back to C.O.A.P. over twenty years to help finance homes for other local families.

If not currently in your role, what do you think you'd be doing instead?

I have already had so many roles at Loyola, there are only a few left!

But if I was not at Loyola, I would want to be a tour guide for a United States National Park Service historical site.

I enjoy traveling to many historical sites around the country and always find the interactions with the tour guides most interesting. In fact, I have even bumped into a retired administrator from another Jesuit school who is a park ranger/tour guide at a Civil War site in Virginia.

What book changed your life?

Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Chang. It is the first hand account of Nien Chang's survival during Mao's cultural revolution in the 1960s. Nien, imprisoned for a lengthy period of time, never broke before her guards, fighting evil with steadfastness and courage. I have read it four times in my life—about every 10 years. And each time I learn something new about perseverance, core values, and staying true to yourself no matter how difficult the circumstances.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I am an avid bridge player, partnering with former Loyola Math teacher, Jan DeStefano as well as my Uncle Bob who taught me the game. We enjoy playing at various clubs and tournaments around the area. I am also a long time bowler and I enjoy bike rides to refresh and recharge.

What is one thing people might not know about you?

I remain very close to my high school group of friends. There are 10 of us that have known each other since 1979. Starting about 20 years ago we decided to take a short trip each summer to a different MLB ballpark. Before COVID hit, we had been to about half of the ballparks. We are finally planning on resuming our quest next summer with a trip up to Toronto.