Connecting With Students Through School & Sports: A Spotlight On Kyle Novak

Prior to becoming a teacher, Kyle Novak was a soccer player, a hopeful Hogwarts student (he was truly disappointed when Hedwig didn’t drop him a letter and Hagrid didn’t bash in his door to tell him he was a wizard on his 11th birthday), and a graduate student at the University of Oregon. Originally wanting to become a professor of Chinese history, Kyle spent six years studying Chinese language and culture, receiving a BA in History from Whitworth University and an MA in History from the University of Oregon. Despite a great experience being an Oregon Duck, including serving as assistant coach for the Women’s Soccer Team, Kyle came to the realization that his true passion wasn’t in Chinese history, but in working with students.

“As fun as it was researching calligraphy and pirates in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, I realized that I was more interested in working with students and helping people grow towards meaningful goals,” says Kyle. “[So], I moved to Sacramento with my wife, took a job teaching English, and got to work on my credential.”

Kyle has now been an Independent Study Academy teacher at Visions for four years. As someone who lets student learning and engagement lead, Kyle is constantly taking on new challenges, including coaching our first ever soccer club last year and becoming a New Teacher Mentor.

“I love working as a partner and coach for my students and their families,” says Kyle “I love that I get to connect students to resources and give them every opportunity to get where they want to go.”

Goal-Oriented

As mentioned, soccer has been part of Kyle’s life since he was young. As both a player and a coach, Kyle has been involved with rec soccer, comp travel teams, DI and DIII colleges. From playing in an adult league to coaching his sons’ youth team and Visions’ soccer club, he loves the way the sport can bring people together.

“I have really enjoyed connecting with our students who didn’t grow up speaking English but we share a love of soccer,” says Kyle. “It’s a good day when I’m playing games with students at the in-person events and with athletes who are part of the Visions soccer team.”

Even greater than the lessons on the field is the learning off the field, which Kyle facilitates through continued collaboration with his students, families, and teachers in his cohort. At the forefront of everything he does is student success and experience, which Kyle uses to guide his day-to-day work.

“I really enjoy collaborating with teachers across communities on various student projects and in supporting teachers who are new to Visions,” Kyle explains. “When something we do isn’t working, we pivot and find what works better to increase student outcomes and experiences.”

Pictured right: Kyle and student Amal M. ready to play some soccer at a regional event!

Closing the Gap

Bridging the world of academics and athletics can help students learn fundamental skills, including communication, discipline, and resilience. Kyle is fortunate to be able to meld his passion for soccer and student success here at Visions, something made possible by not only his ambition, but by leadership in the organization.

“Big shoutouts to both Ron Thomas, our Equity Warrior and Student Engagement leader who makes it possible for athletic coaches and club advisors to do what we do, and to Principal Alward, who does an amazing job of supporting the teachers in her community so that we can do our best work for students and their families,” says Kyle. “I’m very grateful for the chance to do this work.”