Photo by: Justin Janssen

Science teacher Kevin Sonntag shares his struggle with dyslexia.

Living with dyslexia is hard for everyone; being a teacher with it, is a whole different animal.

Mr. Kevin Sonntag deals with this on a daily basis. As you may be able to assume, roadblocks hit him along the way. 

Growing up challenges Sonntag. It forces him to focus extra on the details and all the litte things. On top of it, Sonntag functions as a troubled student. He shares some of his experiences. 

“I was a troubled student through 7th grade, had a .7 GPA, and got into a few fights.” 

Sonntag mentions that a group of 8th grade teachers turns him around. They recognize the light inside of him. It’s his potential. This is what makes him want to become a teacher, to be able to do the same for future students.

Throughout his teaching career, he learns that there is too much going on around him if he doesn’t have class planned. Figuring out the assignments and planning take him a lot longer than he’d like, but allowing that to happen helps him be more organized and focused. 

Sonntag loves teaching, it’s like a second home for him. He strives to help students be the best they can, after his troubling past. With dyslexia, it eliminates all of the heavy writing subjects like math and English. He follows his passion into the science department and now teaches astronomy and foundations of physics. 

Doing what Sonntag does isn’t easy, but he manages to get through it day in and day out. His goal is to guide students toward success, and he isn’t afraid to call them out when need be. 

Sometimes taking a chance on a troubled student isn’t easy, but it’s the right thing to do and can change them for the better.