Colorado

 
Joan Kniss
Brighton High School
270 South 8th Avenue
Brighton, CO 80601

English, 9–12 		 
 

Click on the questions to hear Joan Kniss's interview at the State Teacher of the Year conference. You must have a Real Player to listen to the interview. If you do not have a Real Player, click on the Real Player graphic:
 
1) What is one thing that needs to change in order to keep quality teachers in the profession?
2)

Tell us about a funny moment in your classroom that had meaning for you.
 
 

Joan Kniss, 2001
State Teacher of the Year, Colorado
Opportunities for change have been the highlights of my 28-year teaching career. I began my teaching career at a junior high in Brighton, CO, but after two years my administrator asked if I would assume the role of counselor. I am always up for a challenge, so for the next few years I divided my time between counseling and teaching. When I found myself counseling more and more and teaching less and less, I transferred to the high school, where I could teach full-time. For the past 18 years, I have taught grades 9–12, been department chairperson, and worked at the district level developing standards. In my spare time I enjoy travel and gardening. My husband and I have six children and eleven grandchildren. A favorite memory? I was grand marshal for our Parade of Lights.  
     

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