If students can’t find Kevin Ahlers in his classroom, they can surely find him on the golf course or the track.
Aside from being the boys’ golf coach, Ahlers is a runner, a father of three, and an Advanced Placement Psychology and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) 11 teacher.
Ahlers’s first year teaching was at San Jose High School. Afterwards, he’s been at Dos Pueblos High School teaching for the last 14 years. He was a Math ⅔ Compaction teacher until 2024, and afterwards switched to teaching AP Psychology and AVID 11.
“I actually majored in psychology, and at the start of my teaching career at DP, I noticed that they didn’t have a psychology class, so I asked them if there was a reason why we didn’t have that course,” Ahlers said. “They told me they didn’t [have] anyone to teach it, so I asked, can I teach it, and I’ve been doing so ever since.”
Ahlers got his Bachelor’s degree in Science and Psychology from the University of California, Davis, and his teaching credentials from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
In addition to teaching, Ahlers has been the head coach of the boys’ golf team since 2021 and also assists with the girls’ golf team. He’s been playing the sport for 10 years and loves getting to know the players in his classes on a personal level, whether it’s through practice or matches.
“One thing I like about coaching in general is that I get to see my students outside of a classroom setting, and I feel like during that time I get to know my students really well,” Ahlers said. “For example, during the van rides the boys play music and they sing along to it, and during practices, we have time to talk about a lot of things, and like what’s going on in their life.”
While balancing life as a teacher, a coach, and a father, Ahlers still finds time to relax by running and playing golf, which are his go-to activities on weekends. When mornings are less chaotic, he finds time to do these for longer.
“Going golfing is nice because it gives me some time to think about everything, so that’s always nice,” Ahlers said. “[Running is] …my favorite way of output. I go [running] if I’m stressed or anxious, or anything. Even though I’m taking a break from things, I just get to clear my mind.”
When he’s with his kids, they spend most of their time either at swim lessons, MOXI, or the Santa Barbara Zoo, with an additional stop to Anna’s Bakery on Sundays.
Cooking at home is another activity that Ahlers does to unwind. If he isn’t eating at home and wants to treat himself, he often goes out to eat around town for some Mexican, Italian, or Asian cuisine. While he doesn’t have a favorite restaurant, a go-to location for him is Miguel’s Jr., a Mexican fast food place in his hometown, Corona, Calif.
As a person, Ahlers sees himself as pretty introverted, but hopes to be outgoing in class as a teaching example.
“Just be willing to get yourself out there,” Ahlers said. “There’s time to be outgoing, but in general, go to the football games, go to the basketball games, go to the musical in the spring, and go do things with your friends.”
