An educator for a quarter-century, Rob Kirker embodies so many of the qualities the Julie Wright Changemaker Award celebrates. He manifests an unwavering focus on making decisions guided by student learning and equity, and a high bar for excellence and integrity. Rob has spent 15 years teaching math at Lincoln Elementary School in Richmond, and while he’s led significant improvements in learning, he’s humble, sharing credit and hungry for more progress. Currently, he teaches 6th grade and he’s also a member of the school’s Instructional Leadership Team. He’s been leading the math instructional program at the school for nearly a decade, where he consistently identifies and implements best practices that drive both student and educator success.
Rob’s story
Teachers play an integral role in achieving student success, and Lincoln Elementary School’s Rob Kirker is an exemplar. He has dedicated 25 years to being an educator, the most recent 15 at Lincoln Elementary School in Richmond, where he brings constant creativity, energy and innovation to his classroom and his colleagues. He doesn’t just teach his students. He builds deep, trusting relationships with each of his 6th graders to figure out what they need to understand the material while building confidence in their skills and abilities. He is dedicated to finding new ways to uplift his students academically, always going above and beyond to support their success. With a deep care for their overall growth, he ensures they have the resources and encouragement they need to thrive.
Rob’s focus has always been on his students and their successes, which may be one reason why he is a bit uncomfortable being recognized for his own perseverance and student-centered dedication with the Julie Wright Changemaker Award. “I am really humbled, and really thankful,” Rob said.
“It’s unexpected and frankly, it really takes everyone on campus to help students succeed.”
While there’s no doubt that teaching is a team sport, those who know Rob wanted him to be celebrated for his tireless commitment to excellence for every single student in his classroom, no matter their background. Taylor Parham, the Principal at Lincoln Elementary, said he’s extremely well-respected, by teachers and kids alike.
“He’s tried and true. He’s proven year after year after year that he’ll grow kids exponentially. No matter where they start, we know they will grow in his room. He’s truly changing the trajectory of his students’ lives as a result,” Principal Parham said.
In addition to his everyday duties, Rob stays after school three days a week to tutor kids who need some extra help. It’s also not uncommon for him to spend his lunch hour with students, giving them some additional time to learn.
“I am most passionate about student achievement,” Rob said. “I like looking at all the data and making sure my students are moving forward. And when we find best practices, and things that are scalable, I share them with others so everyone can be successful.”
Leading with passion and humility
Rob has been the math lead for grades 3-6 at Lincoln Elementary since 2016, shaping the curriculum, analyzing student data, and supporting other math teachers to drive academic growth. The most recent class of 6th graders’ proficiency has risen by eight percentage points over the last year. Yet he’s neither satisfied nor prideful.
“Everyone is always looking for a complicated or fancy solution to achievement, but the biggest difference [between] my classroom and another where students aren’t growing is that we’re working every day. I’m just trying to provide the individual style of support that every kid needs.”
Rob strives to meet each of his students where they’re at. Nearly two-thirds of Lincoln’s 3rd-6th graders have a first language other than English. One of Rob’s goals is to continue to ensure English language development in his classroom, helping students speak and use the language while learning math.
Additionally, 9% percent of students in 3rd-6th grade at Lincoln Elementary School are experiencing homelessness, some of whom are in Rob’s class. He seeks to create a safe learning environment for all of his students. “When I talk to those kids, I am humbled … It’s really amazing when you think about an 11 or 12-year-old kid going through that in life and finding a way to show up here and be present and work hard. It amazes me,” Rob said.
Always striving for better results
Rob’s exceptional commitment is evident in the mutual respect that’s so evident with his colleagues. Those who know Rob at school call him a quiet leader, a no-nonsense educator, a warm demander, and a humble and reserved team player who always champions others.
“I am hopeful and optimistic because a lot of teachers here say I believe in this community and I want to make it better,” Rob said.
“The stuff we talk about in education often are these lofty, idealistic things, but it really starts with being here, being present and being prepared. And I take that seriously. It’s easy to be the popular teacher, or the one who is out playing soccer with the kids, but I want to be the teacher who moves kids academically.”
Rob also credits much of the school’s success to the principal and the administrative staff, who are dedicated, supportive and accommodating, as is his partner teacher, Pilar Alvarado. He said he wouldn’t still be teaching without her by his side.
