Kevin Saxton is not your ordinary high school teacher.

There’s the dry humor, the upturned Salvadore Dali-like mustache, and then there’s all those firefighter helmets, badges and patches.

The 53-year-old retired battalion fire chief left burning buildings three years ago in hopes of giving students a burning desire to find faith and curiosity in students at First Academy.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else but teaching kids the Bible,” he says.

He’s uniquely qualified, with several post graduate degrees, including a doctorate in divinity and leadership.

And if that wasn’t enough, he and his wife, Tracie, have roll-up-your-sleeves experience raising seven children, including 12-year-old twins. Tracie, a career teacher, teaches kindergarten at First Academy.

He teaches a total of 96 students in six classes. “I make them work,” he says, but he has a secret weapon disguised as fun.

“They can have a party sometimes,” he says. Students can bring food. “They like my mac and cheese,” he says.

There is something about food. Saxton says the relaxed atmosphere gives him a chance to learn things about his students.

There were key moments Jesus’ ministry that occurred during dinners, he notes.

Classes involve plenty of discussions.

Writing assignments reveal what students are thinking. “Sometimes they go from speaking about faith in the third person to first person. That’s encouraging to me.” He has seen it in his 16-year-old daughter, who attends one of his classes.

There are also lessons to pass on that he learned as a 20-year-firefighter in Delray Beach.

“Delray Beach was the epicenter of the opioid crisis. I was the public information officer for a time and we had Dateline riding with us.”

Fentanyl’s incredible potency has just added to the problem.

“I have seen people die with Narcan in their hands, thinking that they could use it in time.”

He warns students that all it takes is one slip, one mistake for disaster to strike.

“It can start with a high school sports injury, and it’s off to the races with opioids,” he says.

There are many good memories, too.

“I miss the camaraderie,” he says. Firehouses are filled with laughter. “Somebody’s always picking at someone.”

He has met and worked with some great people, he says, “but I left at the right time.”

The opportunity to reach others for Christ is undeniable.

Students come from all walks of life, including many who do not attend First Baptist of Leesburg or any church. Some parents think they are doing their duty by taking them to a Christian school.

“School is not church,” he says. “I want everyone to know Jesus.”