Spotlight: Luke Kanine (MI '24)

Michigan Milken Educator Luke Kanine (MI ‘24) is a Spanish and physical education teacher and behavior interventionist at E.F. Rittmueller Middle School. He combines innovative teaching with a deep commitment to social-emotional learning. Whether it’s teaching Spanish, encouraging personal growth in P.E., or mentoring fellow educators, Kanine creates a supportive, nurturing environment where students and colleagues alike can thrive. Kanine received his Milken Educator Award on January 24, 2025.

Milken Family Foundation: How did you feel at your Milken Educator Award notification?

To be honest, I was in complete shock at my Milken Educator Award notification. It was such a busy morning. I was in charge of getting the gymnasium set up, welcoming everybody to the school and showing them around, and trying to troubleshoot the audio issues we were experiencing prior to the presentation of the Award with our tech team. When they announced my name, I couldn’t really comprehend what just happened. I remember looking up in the stands and seeing my students going crazy, and it was an emotional moment. I felt extremely humbled by this experience. I got to where I am today because of the educators and mentors I’ve had along the way, and many of those people were standing up and clapping for me. It was such an honor, and I’m so grateful for the experience.

MFF: How did students respond to your Milken Award?

Well, during the presentation, the students exploded. In my classes, I try to celebrate other students’ successes. I think it’s important for students to not be so fixated on wins and losses, but to recognize the accomplishments and small victories of others. They did just that. It was an overwhelming response of congratulations, hugs and affirmations. The students enjoyed talking about it in class, especially when the cameras came in. It was a great experience because we shared it together. I was just as camera shy as they were, but we made it through together. It was great being able to experience it with all of them.  

MFF: What made you want to pursue a career in education?

There were many factors that influenced me to pursue a career in education. The first was an experience I had in high school. As a senior, I was the teacher aide in the SCI room as one of my classes. This experience gave me insight into neurodiversity as I interacted with my peers. The experience taught me a lot about myself and encouraged me to go into education. 

In college, I played football and had the opportunity to referee sports for the local alternative education school in my town. This experience also influenced my decision to go into education. I loved working with the players and giving them tips. Seeing them succeed and celebrate with each other made me want to be a part of the learning and growing process.  

My older brother also influenced me to go into education. Adam is a special education teacher in a different school in the county. I visited his classroom multiple times a year, and I interacted with his students. Seeing all of the amazing things he was able to do to make these students successful and independent really influenced me to go into the field.  

MFF: Your teaching style places a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning (SEL) and creating a supportive environment. Can you share a specific moment when this approach made a significant impact on a student’s growth?

After COVID, our school was transitioning back into a “normal” school schedule. However, one year, teachers ate with their advisory class in their classroom. There were a few different SEL programs my school was participating in, but that was the gamechanger in creating a supportive environment. It was also the year to try out different SEL lessons. I grew so close with the students, and in turn, the students grew closer with each other. As eighth graders, the students dove into various kinds of SEL lessons and it brought them closer together as a group. These students went on into high school, and they made a huge impact in the Peer to Peer program there.

Some key players in that group came from my class, and it was extremely rewarding to see those kids, now juniors in high school, playing in unified basketball games, going with their links to the Special Olympics, and creating organic friendships with their classmates. They were key in making a place for ALL students in the high school, and I’m extremely proud to have worked with them. 

MFF: As someone who balances teaching, coaching, behavior intervention, and leadership roles, how do you maintain a consistent culture of support and motivation across such varied roles?

I believe maintaining a consistent culture of support and motivation across varied roles comes from a couple of things. Leading by example is key for me. I’m a firm believer in “actions speak louder than words” and do my best to live that in front of my students and colleagues. Regardless of what your role or purpose is, give it your absolute best. I’ve tried to do that in all the roles I’ve had at Frankenmuth. I think another key component to that is to understand that you’re never done learning. All these different experiences and roles have allowed me to gain insight on different topics that I can apply in the various roles that I have in the school. Another thing that has helped me maintain a consistent culture of support and motivation is by being a servant leader. In any of my roles at the school, I am there to serve other people first. When students understand I’m there to help them achieve their goals, the real magic can happen. 

In a conversation with my Uncle Jim, a former educator and principal, he told me to “stay humble in the good times and stay humble in the bad times.” I think about that every day when I go into work. Some days things are going really well and I feel I’ve made a positive impact on a lot of people. On other days, it doesn’t go that well, but those are times for me to reflect and grow as an educator and leader. 

MFF: What does “success” look like for you and your students in life?

“Success” looks like a few different things for me and my students. For me, success is when any and all students come into my class and can be their true authentic self. It’s important for me to get that across to my students, so they know they can walk into my room and feel comfortable with who they are as an individual. They are not afraid to take a chance or make mistakes. Success is the small victories and big victories and being able to unlock their full potential. When students start gaining confidence in themselves, that’s when success starts growing. Success is when they let go of the fear of making a mistake and understand errors are part of the learning process and not getting hung up on those errors, but rather seeing it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Success is when students come together and get through challenges and obstacles in their way.  

MFF: Who are your role models in teaching?

Oh, boy. Fortunately, I’ve been surrounded by so many powerhouse educators who are excellent role models to follow. Early in my career, Jason Paetz, the high school Spanish teacher, and Jennifer Fruendt, the middle/high school German teacher, were and still are phenomenal role models. As a young educator, I spent planning periods and time before and after school planning and prepping with these individuals. I bounced ideas off of them, and they shared invaluable resources with me that allowed me to become the teacher I am today.  

My brother Adam Kanine, a special education teacher, is another role model. He started an amazing Peer to Peer program at Saginaw Heritage and witnessing how it impacted the culture of his entire school inspired me to do the same thing in Frankenmuth.

Emily Spaulding is a fifth grade teacher in my building. She inspires me every year to continue to put kids first and find creative ways to get through to ALL students.  

Taylor Galsterer is only a third-year teacher. However, she brings so much energy and holds her students accountable. When I was feeling burned out and overwhelmed, she came in with a fire unmatched by anybody in our building. She’s a great role model.  

Finally, Lori and Brady Schuler are huge role models for me. This happily married teacher couple have not only been great role models, but friends, too. With a combined 60+ years in education, they’ve experienced it all, and they are great resources for any concern or challenge.  

MFF: How do you hope to be remembered by your students?

I hope my students look back and remember me as someone who genuinely cared about them. They have been, still are, and will continue to be part of my family. We spend so much time together throughout the year, experience highs and lows, but we get through it together. I hope they remember me as funny, energetic, understanding, and willing to be the voice for those who don’t have a voice. I hope they felt that they could be themselves in my class, and regardless of anything else going on in the world, they mattered to me.  

MFF: Are you working on any interesting initiatives or new projects these days? Is there anything else you want to share about your school?

So, at the conclusion of last year, with the help from a small team, we successfully started a Clay Target Club. Spring 2025 was the first season, and it provided a place for students in grades 6-12, private or public school, homeschooled, and was open to surrounding schools in the area that didn’t have a program. I helped secure a $10,000 grant for the Frankenmuth Community Foundation that helped the team make it to the state finals in the first year with individual honors and team honors at that level.  

This will be the second year of the Peer to Peer program at the middle school. I am looking forward to working with that group in various activities throughout the community to build the relationship between the school and community.  

There have also been a lot of leadership changes in my district. I am excited to work with our new principal, Josh Chase, to take E.F. Rittmueller Middle School from great to exceptional. I’m excited to improve the culture in our building and take the school to greater heights.