For Kevin Van Twest, one of the things that makes his role as a classroom teacher at Emerson School so rewarding is the attitudinal change in his students over the course of each year, particularly for those who have come into Emerson from a mainstream school and may feel anxious about the move.
“There’s a culture of community here that enables everyone who comes to the school to feel welcome and valued,” Kevin says. “At Emerson, everyone matters, and that knowledge allows all our students the opportunity to flourish.”
Kevin says teaching at Emerson School is as much about relationship building and pastoral care, supporting students’ emotional and social growth, as it is about learning.
He says Emerson does “inclusion” better than anywhere else. “It’s not about forcing everyone to try and fit into the same shaped hole. It’s about creating different shaped holes that fit every individual student at the school and allowing each member of our community to shine in their own unique way.”
Kevin grew up in Noble Park and knew of Emerson’s excellent reputation even as a youngster. He believes the positive culture of the school comes from great leadership, which in turn leads to staff who stay for the right reasons.
“The people of Emerson are, simply put, good people. They are kind, humble and make everyone feel welcome,” he says.
Outside of work, Kevin enjoys cricket, having played since he was six years old. He has now taken on an administrative role for his current club. He also keeps busy with his wife and 18-month-old son, the latter of whom has taught him about what it means to be a parent, with hopes and dreams for your child’s future.
He says he takes inspiration from the parents of his students, respecting their love and unwavering dedication for their children.
“Being a dad myself now, I have a much better understanding and appreciation for the parents at Emerson. They inspire me, every single day.”
One of the things he enjoys most in his interaction with parents is when they communicate their joy at the impact he has had on their children, for example, in emails he receives at the end of the school year.
“When a parent expresses their gratitude at my role in helping their child shine—that is truly my ‘why’ for loving this job so much.”
When he started at Emerson as a teacher’s aide, Kevin was 19 and still had P-plates on his car. He has, in many ways, grown up here, moving from being a young adult just starting out in his career, to being a husband, father, teacher and role model to his students.
He says he can see himself staying at Emerson until his retirement.
“I’ve learnt as much from my students over the years as they’ve learnt from me, which is cool!”
[interviewed June 2026]
Cricket photo supplied by Kevin Van Twest
