Seniors Vote Kevin Gentz as Impactful Teacher

The senior class of 2025 selected Kevin Gentz as their most impactful teacher from their high school experience. Students voted, shared memories and thoughts about the Gentz through a Google Form sent out from the Ahlahasa Newspaper.

Math teacher Kevin Gentz was voted the 2025 Impact Teacher. The Ahlahasa Newspaper sent out a senior survey asking students to vote. There were 48 responses. “Every student should have that one teacher that they really connect with,” said Gentz. Photo Submitted

“Mr. Gentz is very impactful because although Pre-Calc is not an easy class,” said Senior Ahnnalie Hill. “He is a great teacher and makes sure his students understand the unit and have everything they can to be prepared for a test. Not only his teaching is impactful but the kind of person he is. He is very kind and makes an effort to form bonds with his students.” 

Gentz has taught at Albert Lea High School for 18 years; he teaches CIS Pre-Calc, CIS calculus, and a trig and stat class. He studied at Mayer Lutheran High School in Mayer, Minn. and St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. In addition to being a teacher, Gentz is also the Boys Track and Field coach and a Link Crew Coordinator.  

“I’m very humbled by the fact that many people saw me as an impactful teacher,” Gentz said.

In 2020, he was voted Impact Teacher, making this his second time. And it’s not his first teaching award. He won ALHS Teacher of the Year in 2021 and in 2022 he made it to the semifinalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. 

Gentz is well-known around the school for his outgoing and enthusiastic personality. 

“I may have a gift of excitement when it comes to a subject that a lot of people don’t like,” Gentz said about spreading enthusiasm and positivity about math. 

In the beginning, Gentz did not know he wanted to be a teacher but he did know that he wanted to do something important for others all the time.

“I think that our teachers, our coaches and our parents are probably the people who help shape our lives the most every day,” Gentz said. 

Gentz described himself as being relational and finds some of his best moments with students is when talking to them about something they are interested in even if he has no connection to the subject. 

“Mr. Gentz is always willing to share advice and stories to guide us through life’s challenges,”  said Senior Maxx Richards. “You can tell he truly cares about our future and wants each one of his students to be the best version of themselves.”

When he first began teaching he got along with students by talking about similar passions but soon realized that he enjoyed hearing students talk about their own passions. 

“Let people see what really makes you motivated and excited,” said Gentz. “Live it, not just on the inside but on the outside. That would be my advice.” 

Gentz’s life motto is about making him the person he wants to be. The inspiration is Martin Luther King Jr., “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep the streets even as Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” 

Gentz says this because even though he didn’t become a senator or important government official, as he thought he would be when he was younger, he will still be the best teacher he can be. He followed this up by saying, “Whatever we’re called to do, there is joy, beauty, and importance in that job.”

When Gentz was asked what students should take away from their high school experience other than test scores he said to seize the high school experience. He spoke about taking advantage of the sports, clubs, activities, and school functions because he’s never had a student come back to them and wish they hadn’t done it but he has had students come back and tell him about how they wished they had more fun while they had the chance. 

“I think that our students in the high school as a whole should look to the class of 2025 and celebrate them because so many of them really got the most out of their senior year,” Gentz said. “Meaning they took advantage of the opportunities extended to them.”