Hey everybody, Jeff Maher with Elizabeth School District and joining me is Ted Knight. Ted, thank you for joining us. Ted is joining us as our academic systems consultant. So, welcome to the school district >> and our superintendent, Dan Snowberger,
has put out some communication about the fact that Kim Moore, our chief academic officer, is set to retire at the end of the school year. And Ted is being brought on as part of that transition process, but we also wanted to just talk
about your background because you've worked in education for a long time. Uh you you've had a lot of roles in education. So why don't you talk about your your background and and how you got to this point. >> Absolutely. Well, thank you for having me. Uh yeah, I'm uh almost Colorado
native. Um grew up down in southern Colorado Springs. um and got into education uh right out of high school. It was pretty much all I ever wanted to be. Um and started out as a teacher actually at my alma mater. Was able to um not go far and come back and I
actually started teaching at the middle school that um I went to as a student and quickly got into administration and was able to move up um and was an assistant principal at the high school where I graduated afterwards. Um, and
then had a chance uh to move just north to uh downtown Colorado Springs in Harrison School District and worked as a turnaround principal. Um, I was there at four different schools, two elementaryaries and two middles and just had an opportunity to really understand
how we could change the odds for students that came from poverty. Um, and then I had a chance to move uh here to our neighbor uh Douglas County School District and I was there for eight years. started out as a chief academic officer for elementary, became assistant superintendent for elementary and then
finally uh assistant superintendent of schools. Um and then shortly after COVID had an opportunity to move into a superintendent role um and actually commuted out to California um for two years and was a superintendent out there.
>> Um came back and kind of semi-retired from education and realized that I was missing that passion, missing that purpose. um did some consulting for a couple years and this really gives me an opportunity to hop back in and help
Elizabeth school district as uh we kind of push through that next layer of academic achievement for our students >> and that's been a real focus for our school district especially as it relates to reading and so we also wanted to talk about your passion for education.
Absolutely. You mentioned your your passion and that education has has really taken up the most of your career. So, how did you develop that passion and how does it carry with you today? >> Sure. Well, growing up in southern Colorado Springs, um I come from a fairly povertystricken uh kind of
trauma-filled background and educators saved my life. Um I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them. Um the coaches, the teachers, the support staff um that really took me under their wing. And kind of my story that's a little different than what you might hear these
days is they said because you have this background, because you're poor, because you don't have these advantages, you're just going to have to work harder. Um it wasn't an excuse. I didn't get a label. Um I got told this is, you know, something that you are going to have to
work through. You might have to work a little harder. and really built that work ethic into me um that I am trying to continue to build in our education system. Um and that is hard work matters. Um work ethic matters and let's
not give excuses. Let's not say that certain kids can't do certain things. Um and that's why I went in education. I wanted to give back. I wanted to do for other kids what my teachers and coaches did for me. And that has been what has driven me um my entire career. Um, it's
definitely why I'm here, right? Students are at the heart of everything we do for most of us educators. It's been the heart of everything we've done for, you know, almost my 30-year career. Um, and every step of the way, every job I've had, I put those students first. Um, and
try to make sure that we're doing everything we can to not only move students forward, but for me personally in my story to help those students who maybe um, you know, historically >> um, didn't make it that nope, we're not going to make any excuses for you.
You're going to work harder. We're going to give you that opportunity, but you're going to have to take it and run with it. Having interviewed a lot of people over the years and talking to individuals with that type of background, it's always difficult when you're going through it. But then afterwards, you have that gift of
perspective. >> Absolutely. >> That sticks with you forever for the rest of your life and and allows you to find that inner motivation and also gratitude at the same time, I would imagine. >> Absolutely. Yeah, it's definitely something at the time you might have wished you had some of those advantages,
but I wouldn't change anything. It absolutely made me who I am today and has just made me relentless in pursuing that for other students. >> So, let's talk about Elizabeth School District and this role as a consultant and and what you are going to be doing
here. I know that since you've been brought on, you have spent a lot of time visiting the schools. You're going to continue doing that. >> Absolutely. >> So, what are some of the things you're going to be doing over the next several weeks? >> Yeah, absolutely. um building on the great work that Dan and Kim and our
other leaders and teachers have done um and being able to come in with a little bit of a fresh perspective. As you said, I've had varied experiences. I've worked in rural, urban, suburban, um title one schools to some of the, you know, most affluent schools in the country. And so
coming in with a lens and really looking at systems and it's what I've done as a consultant for a decade and a half is really coming in and looking for leverage. Right? It sounds cliche, but the how do we work smarter, not harder. We have great staff. They're working
hard, but how can I come in and really help the system work for them? And so, what support do they need? Um, you know, can I can I help with data? Can I help with with resources? And coming in and
obviously doing a lot of listening um early on and figuring out what our staff needs. I'm not someone who believes um that I have to sit back and build relationships first by doing nothing. I believe you got to come in and build relationships immediately by doing the
work alongside people. Um and so yes, you won't see me I don't even have an office here. Um you will see me out in schools um working with teachers, working with grade level or department level teams, working with our leaders, um working with our support staff to try
to align all the hard work that everybody's doing towards the singular purpose of raising academic achievement for all of our students. >> Well, you're joining a great team and a very proud team. And speaking of pride, let's talk about your proudest moment in education. probably a difficult question
considering, you know, an extensive background at various schools, but is there anything that comes to mind that really gives you a sense of pride? >> Sure. Um, I think there's a couple things. Um, one, I would probably start with watching my own children in education. Um, I have two adult
children, um, and a grandchild. Um but watching my daughter progress through school and my son progress through school. Um two completely different tracks, but being proud of how as a parent um and the school districts that they went to and the educators that they
had being able to work together and understanding that every kid is on their own journey. Every kid has a different learning clock, but we don't lower our expectations because of that. We expect the same out of every kid. And in any system you have constants and variables.
And I want that achievement to be the constant which means what we do needs to be variable. And walking alongside educators for both of my children and being able to do that um really gave me a lot of perspective of how we need to personalize that learning for every kid
in schools. Um and I was able to do that. When I think back I mean there have been some great achievements in terms of student proficiency. um when I was a turnaround principal um you know the first elementary school that I led is now a national title one blue ribbon school right governor's awards all those
things that matter um from a academic systems perspective um you know middle school lots of growth and being able to do those but I think like any educator it's having the kids that come back it's knowing that you played some part in
kids achieving I'm able to see that obviously more with my own children. Um, but obviously anytime a student can come back and say, "You made a difference. Um, you know, I'm here because of you." That meets my mission because that's why I got into education. Um, was being able
to do that. And I I'll never forget and I share this story every once in a while first day of new teacher orientation um when I return to my alma mater and fountain and they're you know kind of introducing the new staff and they say Ted Knight and like every teacher turns
around like there's no way like there's no way that kid made it >> and I think it was at a moment of pride for that staff because they realized wow all of our hard effort like look this kid this is not a kid who was supposed to make it. Um, and not only did he make
it, he's come back and he's now going to give back. Um, so that kind of full circle moment is now happening for me where, you know, you're having those kids come back and and you've you've done something or, you know, nowadays with social media, you can follow and you can kind of track their careers. And
so, um, you know, my goal is to come in and help make sure every staff member in this district can tell that same story by aligning the great work that we have um in the district, aligning those systems and getting people what they need. >> How does it feel joining the team here
at [clears throat] Elizabeth School District? >> Uh, very excited. Um, uh, Dan and I worked together years ago. He was, uh, my supervisor when I was a a principal. Gosh, it was probably 15, 20 years ago. And so the opportunity to reconnect and
come in, I know where Dan's heart is. I know what he wants and believes for kids. I know his great belief in teachers and support staff. And so being able to come in and join him is exciting. Um, being able to meet the staff, um, I've already met a few people
who I had crossed paths with in in Douglas County or other places. And so it's been exciting to come in, meet everybody, join the team, and um just come in as a support. >> What are some of your hobbies and interests? Maybe some things that people don't know about you that you do in your
off time. >> Sure. Well, I always start with the joke I'm kind of, you know, old school Gen X workaholic. Um and you know, the work life balance, I always am pushing for people to find it. For me, I love what I do. So, um when I'm at home, a lot of
times I am working. I really do believe in what we're doing and I enjoy it. Um, but I love spending time with my family. Um, I'm married to my high school sweetheart. We've been together for a long time and um, we love taking, you know, little stations. Um, binge
watching anything Taylor Sheridan. Um, and really just enjoying um, my grandbaby at this point is six years old now. That has been a, you know, something fun these last few years. >> Um, but I really love the work that I do. Um, I'm a lifelong learner. I love
going to school. Um, currently taking law classes at Arizona State. Recently finished my MBA. I think it's something coming from poverty. You always feel um like you have to prove yourself and you're always wanting to become more educated. So, I'm usually always in
graduate school. Um, have been for years and and will continue that. That takes up a lot of my time. I want to continue to keep learning, continue to model that for staff and students that were never done learning. That education isn't about, you know, a diploma or a
certification. It is about, you know, creating the knowledge and skills you need to to give back and and employment in civic society, you name it. And so I try to to model that. Um, so obviously like everybody else, not a lot of free
time. Um, but in that time it's almost all all family. >> Nice. Well, it's rare to meet your sweetheart in high school and to have that carry through a marriage. It's uh it's great to hear. >> Yeah. >> That. So, as we look ahead to the next
year, I I know it's early to talk about your goals and and what you're wanting to do because you're probably just wanting to really get to know everybody in the school district, but is there anything you wanted to talk about in terms of of goals over the next year? >> Sure. Obviously, getting in, getting to
know all the great people in the district. Um, I think one of my goals has always been it is so difficult to watch educators give their all and then not get the results that you thought you were going to get or not have
necessarily maybe a community completely value what you've done. Um, we've seen that happen year over year over year. So, I mean, one of my goals is to be able again to come in and help align those systems so that our staff can see
whether it's through test scores, whether it's through increased enrollment, um just community satisfaction, that the results that we're getting um kind of equal the effort and the hard work they're putting in. and that our
students are gaining the knowledge, the skills, the competencies that they need to go out and find that job. It is tough, really tough right now for this generation to believe in the American dream, >> right? And we need to make sure that our students are graduating with the ability
to go out and get that, you know, career that they want, that we're able to um really hone into their passion, >> give them the skills they need to get a job in that passion that um you know allows them to be really really great at
it. There's always you know tell people I want for your child what I wanted for my child and that was I want to know what their passion is. I want them to be the best in the world at it. I want them to be able to make money doing it. Um because we don't want them living in our basement forever as much as we love
them. Um and so I really want to bring that vision into reality for every um every kid in Elizabeth. And that does include um test scores. You know, whether we like it or not, that's how we're measured. It does include that
ability for our kids to get out in the community um and get those jobs that they want to be um you know members of our society who are engaged, who are informed um who are leaders. And so really just helping build on that foundation that I know Dan and others
have already um you know built, take that to the next level and again help our hardworking staff see the results um in in a way that again signifies all the hard work that they're putting in. That
was some of the greatest moments um of my leadership career is when teachers and support staff and leaders finally see the results equal their hard work, that joy, that momentum. Um you know, you see it in the kids' eyes, but you it
doesn't always equal the things that the the greater community looks at. And so I've always felt, you know, one of the things that I can do is is help those come together >> and um >> bring that that joy um that hard work,
that effort, that work ethic into >> the limelight by being able to demonstrate to our community the great things that we're doing. Well, thanks for taking the time to talk to us and that we can get to know you better and and we're going to be doing more discussions with you over the course of
the next several months just to get updates from you on what you're seeing and and some of your your goals as you head to the schools more. But again, welcome to the team. >> Thank you. >> We're glad to have you and we know you're going to do great things for the the school district. >> Yeah. And I'm I'm excited to be here. Um to the staff that's out there, if you
see me in schools, please come up. Please say hello. Please let me know what I can do to help. I'm excited to meet all of you and uh very proud to be here. >> All right, Ted, thank you. Now, be sure to follow us on our social media accounts for more content like this and our website, elizabethschooldist.org.
For Ted and myself, we will see you next time. Thanks for watching.