School board candidate Brian Kirk is ready to take on another level of teaching

From teaching kids to teaching congregations, St. Joseph Pastor Brian Kirk is taking the opportunity to run for school board. 

Kirk has lived in St. Joseph for about 12 years and came to serve as a pastor for First Christian Church.

Before serving as a pastor, Kirk spent almost 10 years working as an elementary school and middle school teacher in the Jefferson City School District. 

Now, Kirk is ready to give back to a community where he has put down roots. 

"As I've been an educator for most of my life, I still consider what I do in my work as education," said Kirk. "I think I could bring that background, that experience, that insight. Not only what it is to be a student, but what it is to be a teacher."

Kirk also expressed his support the long-range plan. Specifically the construction of two new high schools and the promotion of economic vitality between the community and the St. Joseph School District. 

"I think, obviously for the decrease in population we've had in both the city and the number of students in the district, it just make logical sense to adjust the building usage to fit the number of kids and the number of teachers that we have right now, so that our resources are being used to their best of the ability," said Kirk. 

When asked what he thinks SJSD's biggest strengths are, Kirk said the students and the staff take the cake.

Kirk also said he's motivated to run for the school board to give back to the community and advocate for concern's and interest in today's education. 

"When I was teaching in the classroom 25 years ago, things were very different. Teachers have to deal with a lot of things that I did not have to. They're wearing a lot more hats," said Kirk. 

When it comes to setting himself apart from other candidates, Kirk said his diverse background make him notable. 

"We don't want everybody on there to be a teacher or former teacher. We want people with business background," said Kirk. "People who are involved in the community in different ways."

Kirk was also proud to comment, he doesn't have a particular agenda, just hopes in more collaboration with the community. 

"I really believe that we will not be successful as a community until everybody sees the school district as their own," said Kirk. "Even if you don't have students in the school district, even if you don't have a spouse that works in the school district, the success of our community, somewhat, is connected to the success of our school district."

You can learn more about the candidates for the St. Joseph School Board every Tuesday through the end of March.