For 13 years, Kyle Boydstun has been a steady presence in our science classrooms at Rangely School District, bringing energy, depth, and just the right amount of challenge to students. This year marks his 30th year in education, and his passion for both teaching and learning is as strong as ever.
Kyle first came to Rangely after seeing a job opening and recognizing it as a good fit for his family. With family ties in Meeker and southeastern Colorado, Rangely felt like home. He and his wife, Kristi, were considering opportunities in both Colorado and Wyoming, but Rangely stood out. “It just looked like a good fit for us,” Kyle shared, and 13 years later, we are glad it was.
Interestingly, Kyle did not originally plan to teach science. He began in social studies before discovering a love for biology in college at Western. An advisor encouraged him to pursue chemistry, advice he now wishes he had taken even earlier. Today, chemistry is his favorite subject, along with physics and anatomy and physiology. His enthusiasm for those disciplines is contagious.
What does he love most about teaching science? The struggle.
“Very rarely do kids walk into chemistry saying, I can’t wait to take this class,” Kyle said. “I love seeing them struggle and then make the breakthrough. When they start to see the patterns and realize they can do it, that’s the part that tickles me the most.”
Students quickly learn that chemistry involves a lot of math, but Kyle uses hands on labs to make it come alive. One of his favorites involves aluminum reacting in a copper chloride solution, where the aluminum appears to rust but actually disappears as copper forms. Another lab uses zinc and hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas, allowing students to calculate and collect precise amounts. When students see that their math leads to real, measurable results, something clicks.
Kyle’s impact goes far beyond the classroom. Over the course of his career, he has coached junior high and high school basketball, volleyball, track, cross country, and football. He has sponsored Knowledge Bowl and Student Council, and earlier in his career served as a counselor and athletic director. He even helped lead the push to establish small school cross country in Colorado, a multi-year effort that created opportunities for small schools across the state.
Family is at the center of Kyle’s life. He and Kristi have been married nearly 31 years and were high school sweethearts. Their son Riley, a Rangely alumnus, is now married to Dixie Rhea, also a Rangely graduate. Kyle and Kristi are proud grandparents to Finn, who turns two this summer, and they are eagerly awaiting another grandchild this fall.
Kristi has also quietly made her own mark on our community. Known for her creativity and eye for detail, she has helped transform countless school dances and events over the years. If you have attended a beautifully decorated prom or celebration in Rangely, there is a good chance Kristi had a hand in it.
Outside of school, many know Kyle for another passion: Highland Games. Since 2021, he has competed at the Masters World Championships and hopes to qualify for the 2026 competition in the Netherlands. Whether he is throwing heavy stones in a kilt, hunting and fishing with family, or cheering on students, Kyle brings intensity and heart to everything he does.
When asked what he hopes students remember about his class, his answer was simple and powerful.
“I hope they remember that it’s okay to struggle. GPA is not a reflection of your intelligence. It’s a reflection of your habits. If you can embrace the struggle, you’re going to be successful.”
After three decades in education, that message may be one of his greatest lessons of all.