Kevin Holmes, East High School

This week's News 8 Golden Apple Award winner attended Rochester schools. After working a couple of different jobs he has returned to teach in city schools. Tonight we surprise Kevin Holmes at East High School.

This Golden Apple starts with a good deed done by Seventh Grade Math Teacher Kevin Holmes. Tyrone Hollinger just moved to Rochester from Florida when he had some problems. "I got into a fight and lost my backpack and I was in In School Suspension. And then he came to ISS and gave me all the stuff that I needed. He's nice and helps me with my work when I need it."

That act of kindness by Mr. Holmes' caught the eye of School Psychologist Denise Daly. "If you feel comfortable and you feel like your teachers care about you, you can accomplish anything."

Assistant Principal Scott Cliewer says Mr. Holmes does a lot outside the classroom to help kids succeed in the classroom. "He goes way beyond what a normal teacher's duties are. I mean he is generally here until about 6 o'clock every single night. Sometimes I have to actually put him out of the building because he's here so long.

Kevin Holmes knows little things make a big difference. That's why he helps with after school programs and tutors students during his lunch and planning times. He even learned a new language and hired interpreters so he could communicate with immigrant students and their parents. "Well I think that's what's necessary to accomplish what our task is. And those are the things that kids remember. And those are the things that I remember as a kid that went to city schools."

And at the end of the day when he lay his head down and is going to sleep, how does he feel about making this career move? "I feel good. I have a headache once in awhile, but other than that I feel good. It's a good kind of headache!"

Kevin Holmes is a News 8 Golden Apple Award winner. You can read the letter we received from Denise Daly nominating him below.

Dear News 8,

Mr. Holmes reached out to an East High School 7th Grade student who had just transferred to Rochester from Florida. This kind gentleman provided a "re-do" opportunity to the student who had completed his homework, but it was in his backpack which was stolen. Mr. Holmes not only gave a supportive pat on the back to the student, but also tutored the student during his own planning time on the work he missed.

What touched me most, was after giving of his time and personal support, Mr. Holmes then offered to help the student replenish his missing supplies from his stolen backpack. Mr. Holmes has shown this student, and the staff who work with him, that the Rochester City School District can be a caring, dedicated and supportive environment with a commitment to help all children achieve.

Sincerely,

Denise Daly, East High School Psychologist