Karen Knott

   
                   

Position:

Pre-AP PreCalculus, AP Calculus teacher  

Contact:

E-mail: Karen.Knott@gcisd.net

Education:

Stephen F. Austin University
Masters of Science

· Major in Mathematics

Stephen F. Austin University
Bachelor of Science

· Major in Mathematics
Minor in Secondary Education
Minor in Chemistry

Background:

Teaching mathematics to today’s youth is an exciting challenge and rewarding experience in the field of education.  For thirty-one years, I have shared my enthusiasm, knowledge, and appreciation of mathematics with students of all ages. I began my teaching experience in college as a chemistry lab instructor.  Upon graduating from college at the age of twenty, I felt I was too close to the age of high school students to be an effective teacher.  Therefore, I began the elementary certification process by taking additional education courses and teaching fifth and sixth grade math at Central ISD in East Texas.  After one year, I realized that my original pursuit of secondary education was a wise decision.  Fortunately, I spent the next seven years teaching ninth grade students Algebra I, Geometry, and Fundamentals of Math as well as sponsoring a variety of activities at Lufkin Junior High East in Lufkin, Texas.       

In 1981, my husband’s job transferred the family to Conroe, Texas, and I began teaching at Conroe High School.  We lived in Conroe for the next twenty years.  During this time, I taught most of the math courses offered at CHS. Courses that I instructed included College Algebra, Finite Math, Algebra I, Algebra II, Analytical Geometry, Probability and Statistics, Pre-Calculus, and Analysis.  Furthermore, I worked as a math specialist for dual credit, recovery, and student support programs as well as in additional positions of vertical teaming chairperson, campus communication cadre, and curriculum writing committees. In addition to CHS responsibilities, I worked as an adjunct math instructor at Montgomery College and tutored privately.

In 2001 my husband’s company transferred us again.  This time we moved north to the Dallas area.  This is my sixth year at Colleyville Heritage High School and I look forward to continuing my profession here.    

Teaching Philosophy:

As an educator, my responsibility is to teach students to “learn to learn”.  Every person has the ability to learn.  However, we learn in different ways, at various rates, and are only limited by desire.  As a mathematics teacher, I must, also, provide students with a strong academic foundation for future mathematical studies and career encounters.  Students should be recognized as individuals and the care, patience, and concern demonstrated must be consistent no matter the ability of the child.  I appreciate the mathematically talented as well as understand the mathematically frustrated.  Hopefully, my enthusiasm for math will be contagious; my students will develop a new appreciation for the “universal language”; and that they view math from a new perspective.  Ultimately, from high school educational opportunities, students will become lifelong learners in our rapidly changing world.

Personal Statement:

My husband, Gordon, and I spent most of our youth in Lufkin, and we have been married almost 31 years.  We have two children, Kevin and Katie.  Kevin is a Texas Tech graduate and is working in Houston.  October 12, 2002 Kevin married his girlfriend, Lisa, of five years. They had their first child, Addison in December of 2005. Katie, our daughter, graduated from Texas State University last December after completing her student teaching in New Zealand.   She is teaching first grade in Alief ISD