Kent Town — Curt Gerbers is a familiar face at Kent City Middle School, but he’s taking on a new role as principal this year. SNN gets to know him better in this edition of Meet Your Administrators.
Other positions you have held in education:
- Long-term substitute teacher at Holland, Hamilton and Kentwood schools
- Mathematics and Science Teacher, Kent City Middle School
- Dean of Students, KCMS
- Vice Principal, KCMS and KC High School (joint)
Education/Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Hope College
- Master’s degree in Classroom Technology Integration, Walden University
- Master’s degree in Education Specialist, Grand Valley State University
What would you like to tell us about your family? Gerbers and his wife have four children in sixth, third, first and preschool, and they are excited to send all four to Kent City Schools for the first time. The family enjoys playing video games, frequent bike rides and regular gatherings with extended family.
What’s particularly notable is that the new principal and his family live just two doors down from KCMS: “If you ask most kids in middle school, they probably already know where I live,” he said. “But I love it. I walk to work every day; it’s wonderful.”
Why did you want to become a school principal? “I think I was at a point in my career where I was interested in different challenges and interactions. My role now is just a bit broader, which I appreciate.
“I love working with kids and still spending time with them…but now I can focus on making sure the overall experience for (the students) is as good as it can be. Probably one of my biggest motivations is that I get to make decisions and impact the entire experience at Kent City Middle School, not just what happens in my classroom.”
What’s on your bucket list? “This is specific to my job, but I just want to improve the climate at Kent City Middle School (and create a place) where every kid enjoys coming. It’s often said that the middle school years are the worst, so anything I can do to mitigate or reverse that for our kids, I think is my number one goal.
“Personally, I want to raise my children to be quality people who help others.”
What was your favorite class as a child? “Senior year of high school: I was probably the most outgoing and sociable then. I was always a pretty shy kid…but in the last few years of high school, I became more interested in being around other people and talking to them. I ran cross country and track and played hockey, and getting out more really enhanced my experience.”
What book, podcast or TV show have you enjoyed recently? Gerbers and his wife have been enthusiastic about the reality show “Big Brother” for several years and for the couple it has now become a regular part of television programming:
“The basic idea of the game is that there’s a social aspect to it, in addition to competitions and different ways to get to power. … (My wife and I) wait for the new season every year, and it’s really fun to get to know the different people and talk about who’s playing a good game and who’s playing a terrible game. We’re constantly stopping the show to talk about the different strategies or what we think is happening.”
How will you encourage student voice at KCMS? Gerbers said he hopes the student council and student leadership team can become more involved beyond event planning and managing the school store. With the emphasis across the school district on positive approaches to behavior management, he sees plenty of opportunities to encourage student leadership throughout the school year.
“We’re all about recognizing students for doing the right things and doing the good things. … I think this is an area where (students) have the opportunity to not only participate but also be leaders. What that looks like still needs to be further worked out and organized, but it’s definitely something I’d like to do.”
What do you think is the best and worst pizza topping? “Any vegetable is the worst. I don’t want any of that on my pizza. But I love pepperoni. Pepperoni and ham. And I’ll take bacon, too. And sausage. Seriously, just give me a meat-lovers’ pizza.”
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