Trinity teacher named finalist
For those that know Sharon “Sherry” Knight, it should come as no surprise to learn that she was recently chosen as one of 12 finalists for the 2016 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
“It’s a passion,” Knight, a Trinity High School visual arts teacher, said of teaching and working with youths. “I love sharing what I know, what I can do with students who want to learn. I love my job. I love to see the light bulbs come on.”
State Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera officially announced the finalists Wednesday, although Knight has known since the end of February. The winner will be announced in December and will become a nominee for National Teacher of the Year.
“This is a great honor,” she said. “Other Trinity teachers have been nominated, but I am the first to make it to this step.”
Knight said the process started in September with a lengthy packet that required recommendations from parents and colleagues, her philosophy on teaching and her involvement with the school.
“My husband, Kent, was the one who nominated me,” Knight, of Canton Township, said. “He didn’t say anything (until after she had been notified that she was a nominee). He said ‘he didn’t know a better person more deserving.'”
Knight has been employed by Trinity Area School District for 38 years.
“I was hired right out of college,” she said.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from Carlow University in art and art education, holds a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and is working on completing her doctorate degree from the same institution.
Knight also has a secondary principal certification from the California University of Pennsylvania.
To move on, Knight must provide a lesson plan and a video of her working in the classroom with input from her students to the state chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year Organization by May 22. She said the video portion should be completed next week. The final requirement will be a classroom visit.
“They will narrow it down in the fall to the last couple,” she said.
The other finalists are: Jolene Barron, of Tamaqua Area School District, Schuylkill County; Kelly Dougherty, of Southern Lehigh School District, Lehigh County; Rebecca Foxwell, of North Lebanon School District, Lebanon County; Pamela Gregg, of Rose Tree Media School District, Delaware County;Joe Harmon, of Redbank School District, Clarion County; Dina Howell, of Penns Valley Area School District, Centre County; Jade Leung, of Shaler Area School District, Allegheny County; Alison Monk, of Pine-Richland School District, Allegheny County; Kimberly Riviere, of Rose Tree Media School District, Delaware County; Ann Schmidt, of Conrad Weiser Area School District, Berks County and Michele Shawver, of Penns Valley Area School District, Centre County. All of the finalists were nominated by students, parents, colleagues and members of the community who wished to recognize the teachers’ work both inside and outside the classroom.
“These teachers, who have been selected as the top contenders for Pennsylvania’s Teacher of the Year, are shinning examples of the outstanding people working everyday to improve the lives of our children,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in a press release.
Knight said Trinity Superintendent Michael Lucas acknowledged her accomplishment at the end of March with an email to district teachers. The email congratulates her, wishes her luck and provides information about the Teacher of the Year process. Lucas could not be reached Wednesday night for comment.
Regardless of the outcome, Knight is just “floored to be considered the best of the best for simply doing her job.”
“This is such a great honor. There are 400 some school districts in the state, and you figure how many teachers are in those district. To be selected, it’s just an honor.”