Ronnie Garvin is honored to have been chosen as the Employee of the Month for March, and he is very grateful for his amazing co-workers for making this possible. Garvin believes his most important quality is being helpful.

“I enjoy helping the people and staff at KHS. I feel it is my duty to do whatever I can to make their job easier,” Garvin said.

Several teachers are proud of the time they spent at KHS and Garvin is no exception. As the 9th grade principal, Garvin is most proud of the relationships he has built with the staff, students, parents, and the community.

“KHS is the best place I have ever worked,” Garvin said. “We truly are a family when we are here.”

Like all jobs, Garvin has to face some challenges. One of the most difficult parts of his job is making students feel comfortable when they are in 9th grade coming from middle school.

“They tend to think that my job is to be mean and get them in trouble,” Garvin said. “It is actually the opposite. I am here to assist and help them, I want them to enjoy KHS.”

One of Garvin’s hidden talents is playing the guitar. Even though he thinks he’s not very good, he still loves playing.

“I wish I would have started before I was 21,” Garvin said. “But it doesn’t stop me from playing with my friends.”

Garvin was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana. He went to school at Ouachita Parish High School and went to college at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

He then moved to Kilgore in 2001 to coach at Maude Laird Middle School. Throughout this time, the most influential people were his parents and his wife. They were always there for him no matter what, and of course still are.

“They have the most confidence and trust in me,” he said. “They believe I can do anything. When I was getting my Masters and applying for this A.P. job, they were thinking ‘He’s got this,’” Garvin said.

Garvin considers his wife, Misty, to be his best friend.  They enjoy each other’s company and like to do a lot of the same things.

“We enjoy trips to the beach, going out to dinner, and fishing,” Garvin said.

Many people have a quote or guiding thought that they live by and for Garvin it is “control what you can control.”

“I tell myself this everyday or when times get tough,” he said. “Problems and situations will arise daily. And they will at times still be there tomorrow. Just be yourself and control what you can control,” Garvin said.

When Garvin is feeling down, he loves to travel in his mind back to when he thought it was impossible to graduate college.

“I reflect on the way I handled the adversity and how I climbed out of the struggling moments. I refuse to be unsuccessful,” Garvin said.

In ten years, Garvin sees himself being retired and working three days a week.

“I plan to do a lot of hunting and fishing,” Garvin said. “Deer hunting has always been a fun activity that I love to do in my spare time.”

He also wants to give a shout out to all the teachers and students.

“Thank you for making my job a wonderful hobby,” he said. “It has been an amazing ride for 23 years. I love you all and God bless.”