EJ McKnight - Teaching Career

Shaping the youth and the shapers of the youth

Just recently, EJ McKnight received prestigious honor by being nominated and selected as one of AMERICA'S OUTSTANDING TEACHERS for 2005 by the National Honor Roll, and his biography will be published in the organization’s annual journal. He also recently received an “Excellence in Teaching" award from the National Education Foundation.

He has been awarded 5 times Teacher of Year at two different schools. Throughout his career, he has also been selected as Most Inspiring Teacher, Most Enthusiastic Teacher, Teacher with Most School Spirit, and Most Involved Teacher.

His expertise is in writing and Shakespearean Drama. He is, however, known for his versatile teaching credentials, having taught English Literature, Creative Writing (including the production of Creative Writing Journals), Journalism (produced award winning students and student productions), American Literature, World Literature, African American History, German, Latin, French, and Physical Education. He was also certified in Mathematics, and although he has never taught it, he has tutored many students in the subject.

He takes pride in teaching students who would normally not qualify to take the most difficult test, the Advanced Placement, and motivate them enough to pass that test. He has taught seminars to teachers on Writing Strategies and General Motivation and has spoken to principals about leadership, having the courage to make tough decisions, and sticking to beliefs even when times get tough. He has lectured to collegiate faculties regarding selected topics in African American History, particularly Malcolm X.

EJ McKnight has been instrumental in writing scripts for promotional and educational television productions for his school district. He has developed a great reputation for delivering inspiring talks to both elementary and high school audiences, and the administration uses him often.

EJ McKnight owns and expresses strong opinions as a parent and talks about the difficult decisions of parenthood. He says it is very easy to be a good parent when everything is going great, but the real evaluative measurement is how a parent handles crisis. Having raised 6 children in a mixed family, he says he has handled every crisis known to man. He counsels parents on their need to know how to be strong during tough times and on fostering and keeping the lines of communication open. “My children and I had some very difficult moments, but I never gave in to what I knew was the truth, and as a result we have wonderful relationships today.”

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