Yevgeny Pevzner is a science and STEM teacher at Kearns Junior High in the Granite School District in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this episode, Yev shares some of the biggest challenges he faces now after 26 years of teaching. Last fall he was featured on our local FOX News station in a story about his commitment to making sure his students have snacks in the classroom if they are hungry, which also explains why he was dubbed the “Pop Tart King” by one of his former students. His own educational background both in the Soviet Union and in Utah after his family immigrated here shaped the kind of teacher he wants to be for his students. He explains how he tries to treat each student as unique, how he employs different hands-on activities, why he has stayed at the Title I junior high where he has worked for 23 years, and why he feels that “every child should have an equal opportunity, regardless what backgrounds they come from.” 

Utah Teacher Goes Above and Beyond (FOX News story)

Why School Absences Have 'Exploded' Almost Everywhere (NYT)

"I can't assume if they had food or not...I can never assume if they had lunch." (11:40)

"I will never give up on any kid. I believe that every kid has the opportunity to be successful." (22:38)

"I don't believe there's [such] a thing as smart kids.... Every kid is smart in their own way.... We all have different skills. And our education system should provide equal opportunity for all those kids, regardless of backgrounds, regardless if they had a meal or not, we should be equal to them." (24:07)