Eagle Point Elementary P.E. Teacher Using Lessons Learned in Iraq

As different as the Iraq War zone and might seem, the school's new physical education teacher said some of the lessons he learned as a soldier in Iraq have helped him in his new position.

Calen Kirkland, an Illinois native, was pulled from his classes during his junior year of college at Southern Illinois University to be deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom on a 10-month mission from 2009–2010. 

His assignment included training Iraqi soldiers by demonstrating basic soldier skills, how to fire a gun, how to take orders and basic operation of an efficient system.

In addition, he ran security for convoys every four or five days at different bases throughout Iraq.

“They were pretty intense times,” he said. “But I believe I learned a lot that I can apply not only to my job, but to life as well.”

A couple of examples, Kirkland said, are patience and discipline.

“Working with the Iraqi soldiers in some ways is like working with elementary students," he said. "They are not going to understand everything you say, you have to simplify things for them.” 

Working with different cultures has also given him a better understanding of the diverse cultures around him at Eagle Point, he said. 

Another interesting aspect of the time he spent in Iraq was the schedule they kept, Kirkland said. 

“We started the day by working with the soldiers from 8–11 a.m., which was followed by a lunch break," he said. "After our break were chapel and a rest period. Then they didn’t come back to work until 3- 5 p.m."

With only three months left on his six-year contract, Kirkland said he is looking forward to focusing on his teaching career.

“With such little time left on my contract and both wars dwindling down, the chance of being deployed again is minimal,” he said. “What I’m most looking forward to now is becoming a full-time teacher at one school.” 

In addition to teaching one day a week at Eagle Point, Kirkland said he is also subbing “nonstop” for the Anoka-Hennepin School District.

Eagle Point Elementary principal, Shawn Bromeland said he is pleased to have Kirkland on staff. While he cannot say whether or not Kirkland's military background had any weight on his decision to hire him, he said he values having staff with a variety of experiences.

"Leadership and relationships with our students are very important. Our connection with students is very important and helps us become better teachers; Calen has these skills," Bromeland said.

What Kirkland said he loves the most about teaching is the effect he has on the children.

“For some kids, I may be the only positive male role model they see all day," he said. "That’s a job I take seriously."

Kirkland said one of the obstacles he and most other P.E. teachers face is the challenge of motivating the kids to participate.

“The elementary students are really easy to work with, but it’s a little harder to stimulate the middle school students,” he said.

Kirkland said he is ready and looking forward to conquering all the challenges he may face throughout the year.

“I’m a high-energy guy,” he said. “I like to get them fired up, and in return they fire me up. It’s probably my military background that does that, which I am thankful for.”