Melrose teacher roots for the underdog

MELROSE — You might say Kevin Lackey has always rooted for the underdog.

Growing up, Lackey’s next-door neighbor was a girl with Down Syndrome.

“I think I’ve always kind of had a heart for some of those kids who have had things stacked against them,” Lackey said. “I always had a soft spot in my heart for her, helping her. So it’s the route I took.”

“The route” was to a career as a special education teacher at Melrose Municipal Schools, and he’s now director of the department there.

“It’s a good field,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed it.”

Special ed can be a challenge, even more so during the days of COVID-19, when education has to occur online.

“It’s definitely been more challenging,” Lackey said, “and teachers are having to make more accommodations to work with these kids. The whole goal in these nine weeks is to continue education and make sure learning is still taking place, but not overwhelming students and parents, because none of this is their fault. We’re all in this together, figuring it out on the fly. I think we’ll all be glad when this is over.”

While schools are closed during the coronavirus crisis, Melrose’s special ed staff does a lot of checking in and checking up.

“(We’re) making sure we’re accessible for the kids,” Lackey said, “making sure they don’t need help, making sure they’re doing the assignments and making sure they’re doing the state (required) stuff.”

Special ed offerings can vary. Some might have what Lackey referred to as “inclusion,” in which students are part of a general classroom conducted by a general education teacher with a special education teacher in the same class to help the students who may need that extra attention.

Sometimes special education involves separate classes and curriculum. Other times it might just be a resource to which students can have access if they need it.

During normal times, Lackey handles administrative duties and teaches a few classes himself. While school is closed, Lackey has mostly been “keeping tabs on the kids,” he said, “making sure they’re doing some work. … I think that’s probably the area where it’s been the hardest … getting kids the help they need. Kids have a hard time doing that independently. It’s been a challenge, but some have really shined and others have had their problems. We’re just kind of getting through it together.”

Lackey said he also makes sure the special education teachers are getting any help they might need. Additionally, he deals with compliance, getting funding, and handling paperwork.

Lackey had a pivotal role at the beginning of all this. As Melrose boys basketball head coach, he was trying to guide his team to a third consecutive state Class A championship.

Wednesday, March 11, was a normal day, as top-seeded Melrose played ninth-seeded Quemado in the state quarterfinals in front of fans at Bernalillo High School. The Buffs won, 64-32.

“And that night my phone started blowing up with the NBA canceling their season,” Lackey said. “And that night we got word that there were no fans (allowed at the high school playoffs).”

On March 12 the Buffaloes beat fifth-seeded Springer 58-27 in front of no fans at Rio Rancho’s Santa Ana Star Center. On March 14 at an empty Dreamstyle Arena in Albuquerque, the Buffs edged second-seeded Maxwell, 59-56, to win a third consecutive state title.

“It was pretty hard on our community,” Lackey said, “but the kids did a great job of getting it done.”