Xavier University Athletics
Xavier Nation Magazine Feature: Where Are They Now? Gary Lumpkin.
04.07.16 | Men's Basketball, Athletic Department
Leading the Class: Gary Lumpkin has gone from the court to the classroom, starting a career as a special education teacher
Gary Lumpkin has been blessed with patience, something he'll find beneficial as he embarks on the next phase of his teaching career.
Now that he's earned his master's degree in education with an emphasis on special education, Lumpkin, who played point guard at Xavier under the late Skip Prosser from 1995 to 1999, wants to put his new degree to use.
"Over the course of time I was working a lot with kids," Lumpkin says. "I was already a teacher by being a minister in the church, and so I kind of developed a love for kids. I just figured that would be another way to put a stamp on me making an impression on them."
Lumpkin, who finished his career in the top 10 in school history in assists with 470, began his teaching journey in 2008 with a month-long assignment as a fifth grade math and science teacher at a Cincinnati elementary school. After completing the job, he was moved over to a kindergarten multiple-handicap class.
"That's when I decided I wanted to work with special needs kids," Lumpkin says. "They learn a little differently. It doesn't necessarily mean that they can't be taught, it just means they learn differently."
Navigating students through an uncommon path to learning is what led Lumpkin into special education.
"When I went into special education it was really me learning how to deal with the different ways kids learn," he says. "Some are auditory; it's all about them hearing. Some are visual. Some learn by one-on-one instruction while others learn by working in groups. It's intriguing to me to find out how they learn and put them in the best situation to help them learn."
Lumpkin, 38, earned his master's degree online from Grand Canyon University with a 3.92 GPA. He's currently completing certification requirements and has to take another course in reading before securing full-time employment. "You have to be highly qualified in reading to work with special needs kids," he says.
Lumpkin enjoyed a lengthy basketball career in Finland and France and in the American Basketball Association for the Kentucky ProCats. He remains close to the sport. He started coaching basketball in 2011 and was the girl's varsity head coach at Taft High School in Cincinnati. In 2013, Lumpkin was the boy's freshman coach and boy's assistant varsity coach at Winton Woods High before taking the girl's varsity coaching position this year.
Lumpkin and his wife of 14 years, Caley, a former Xavier volleyball player, have three children—Jalen, 17, Jaida, 12, and Janiece, 10.
Jalen, a tailback for the Winton Woods football team, has made college visits to Wofford and Navy. Jaida plays volleyball and is an accomplished viola player, while Janiece's specialties are gymnastics and art.
"That's a wide spectrum, that's for sure," Lumpkin says of his children's activities. "They keep me busy."
Now that he's earned his master's degree in education with an emphasis on special education, Lumpkin, who played point guard at Xavier under the late Skip Prosser from 1995 to 1999, wants to put his new degree to use.
"Over the course of time I was working a lot with kids," Lumpkin says. "I was already a teacher by being a minister in the church, and so I kind of developed a love for kids. I just figured that would be another way to put a stamp on me making an impression on them."
Lumpkin, who finished his career in the top 10 in school history in assists with 470, began his teaching journey in 2008 with a month-long assignment as a fifth grade math and science teacher at a Cincinnati elementary school. After completing the job, he was moved over to a kindergarten multiple-handicap class.
"That's when I decided I wanted to work with special needs kids," Lumpkin says. "They learn a little differently. It doesn't necessarily mean that they can't be taught, it just means they learn differently."
Navigating students through an uncommon path to learning is what led Lumpkin into special education.
"When I went into special education it was really me learning how to deal with the different ways kids learn," he says. "Some are auditory; it's all about them hearing. Some are visual. Some learn by one-on-one instruction while others learn by working in groups. It's intriguing to me to find out how they learn and put them in the best situation to help them learn."
Lumpkin, 38, earned his master's degree online from Grand Canyon University with a 3.92 GPA. He's currently completing certification requirements and has to take another course in reading before securing full-time employment. "You have to be highly qualified in reading to work with special needs kids," he says.
Lumpkin enjoyed a lengthy basketball career in Finland and France and in the American Basketball Association for the Kentucky ProCats. He remains close to the sport. He started coaching basketball in 2011 and was the girl's varsity head coach at Taft High School in Cincinnati. In 2013, Lumpkin was the boy's freshman coach and boy's assistant varsity coach at Winton Woods High before taking the girl's varsity coaching position this year.
Lumpkin and his wife of 14 years, Caley, a former Xavier volleyball player, have three children—Jalen, 17, Jaida, 12, and Janiece, 10.
Jalen, a tailback for the Winton Woods football team, has made college visits to Wofford and Navy. Jaida plays volleyball and is an accomplished viola player, while Janiece's specialties are gymnastics and art.
"That's a wide spectrum, that's for sure," Lumpkin says of his children's activities. "They keep me busy."
HIGHLIGHTS | Baseball at Georgetown (Game 2)
Friday, April 03
HIGHLIGHTS | Baseball at Georgetown (Game 1)
Thursday, April 02
HIGHLIGHTS | Lacrosse vs. Butler
Thursday, April 02
HIGHLIGHTS | Baseball at Ball State
Tuesday, March 31