Sometimes the Best Journeys Lead You Back Home
There are moments in life when God doesn’t simply open a new door, He leads you back to the place where your heart has always belonged.
For Kevin Ickles, that place is Knoxville Christian School.
After a year away, Kevin is returning to KCS as our new Elementary Vice Principal, and to say our students and faculty are excited would be an understatement. For many families, this isn’t an introduction, it’s a joyful reunion. The familiar smile in the hallway, the encouraging words, the high-fives between classes, and the genuine love for every child are all coming home.
And for Kevin and his family, that’s exactly what this is.
Home.
A Student Who Wasn’t Supposed to Become a Teacher
Ironically, Kevin laughs when he tells people he wasn’t a great student growing up.
In fact, he jokes that some of his former teachers would probably ask for proof if they heard he became an educator.
But while he struggled in school, a handful of teachers chose to see something beyond the grades. They saw gifts, potential, and worth in a young boy who couldn’t yet see those things in himself.
One teacher, in particular, forever changed the course of his life.
As a seventh grader, Kevin had been held back a year. Though his grades were improving, his confidence was at an all-time low. One day he accidentally left a notebook filled with stories he had been secretly writing on his own.
Certain he was about to get into trouble, he nervously stayed after class when his teacher, Mr. Cyrianni, asked to speak with him.
Instead of criticism, Kevin heard words he has never forgotten.
“This is some of the best writing I’ve seen from a seventh grader.”
That simple act of encouragement changed everything.
Years later, Kevin learned that Mr. Cyrianni had passed away. Reading his obituary, he discovered the teacher who had invested in him was also a devoted follower of Christ. Even after his passing, his life continued pointing Kevin toward a deeper faith.
Today, Kevin carries that lesson with him every day.
He believes one encouraging word can change the trajectory of a child’s life because it once changed his.
Discovering His Calling
Kevin’s journey into education wasn’t conventional.
After earning a degree in history and working in human resources, he felt something was missing. Everything changed when he volunteered in a summer preschool program serving children with autism.
“It was transformational,” Kevin says.
What began as a stepping stone to coaching wrestling became something much bigger.
Teaching wasn’t simply a job anymore. It was his calling.
Eventually, that calling led his family to Knoxville, where God opened the door to Knoxville Christian School.
More Than a School
Kevin spent four years teaching elementary language arts at KCS, but the school became much more than a workplace. It became family.
During some of life’s most challenging seasons, including welcoming their youngest daughter, who has Down syndrome, the KCS community surrounded Kevin’s family with love, encouragement, and unwavering support.
“The way this community embraced our family is something I’ll never be able to repay,” Kevin says. “They loved our children exactly the way a Christian community should.”
When another opportunity took the family to Florida, they followed where they believed God was leading. But something never quite felt complete.
No matter how good life was, it never truly felt like home.
Then came a phone call with KCS President Bobby Simpson.
The conversation quickly became something much bigger than discussing an opportunity.
It became an invitation to come home.
Leading with Heart
Kevin’s approach to leadership is remarkably simple. Build relationships first.
He believes children thrive when they know they are deeply loved, genuinely known, and encouraged to become who God created them to be. He also believes learning should be joyful.
Whether he’s creating memorable classroom experiences, laughing with students in the hallway, or recommending a favorite book, Kevin wants children to love coming to school.
That passion for reading has become one of his trademarks. His office is never far from a stack of books, and if you ask about his favorite, he’ll quickly mention The Lord of the Rings right after the Bible.
For Kevin, the story isn’t simply about adventure. It’s about courage. It’s about ordinary people doing extraordinary things because they choose faithfulness over fear.
He often reflects on how two humble hobbits, overlooked by nearly everyone, became the unlikely heroes of Middle-earth. To Kevin, that story echoes a timeless truth: God delights in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
It’s the same perspective he brings to every student he meets. Every child has gifts waiting to be discovered. Every child has a story worth investing in. Sometimes all it takes is one adult who believes in them.
A Leader Who Understands Families
Kevin also returns with a unique perspective. He’s not only an administrator, he is a KCS parent. This year, all three of his daughters will attend Knoxville Christian School together, making this season especially meaningful for his family.
He understands the trust parents place in the school because he’s placing that same trust in KCS every single day.
That shared experience fuels his commitment to communication, partnership, and creating an environment where families know they belong.
A Community Like No Other
Kevin often says that what makes KCS special isn’t one person or one program.
- It’s the families.
- It’s the churches that faithfully support the school.
- It’s the teachers who pour into students.
- It’s the families who encourage one another.
- It’s the community that raises children together while pointing them toward Christ.
That spirit is what drew him back.
And it’s why he believes Knoxville Christian School offers something truly unique.
A Word from Our President / Head of School
“One of the greatest blessings of serving at Knoxville Christian School is watching God bring people back to where they are called to serve,” says Bobby Simpson, President of Knoxville Christian School. “Kevin has always led with humility, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to our students. His love for children, his heart for Christian education, and his passion for building meaningful relationships make him an incredible fit for this role. We are thrilled to welcome Kevin and his family home to KCS, and I know our students, parents, and faculty will be blessed by his leadership for many years to come.”
Welcome Home
Some stories come full circle and Kevin’s is one of them.
The student who once needed someone to believe in him has become the educator who believes in every child.
The teacher who found family at KCS has returned to help lead that family into the future.
And the community that once poured into Kevin is now welcoming him back with open arms.
Welcome home, Kevin.
We’ve missed you, and we can’t wait to see the impact God continues to make through your life and leadership at Knoxville Christian School!
Now enrolling for the upcoming school year! Contact our Admissions Office today to schedule a campus tour, meet our incredible faculty, and discover why so many families call KCS home.