Thomas Joseph (T.J.) Knight

Thomas Joseph (T.J.) Knight 2309 Stratford Drive, Mesquite, TX 75150 (W) 972-544-2279; (C) 469-995-1692; [email protected]; [email protected]

Education/Certification

M. Ed. Educational Administration, Texas A&M – Commerce, Commerce, TX, 2005 BS General Studies, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, 1999

Superintendent Certificate Texas (in progress) Principal Certificate Texas Teacher Certificate Composite Science, Texas

Administrative and Leadership Experience

Principal, Ferris Junior High School, Ferris ISD, Ferris, TX, 2008 – present  Analyze TAKS data, INOVA data, attendance rates, budget spending, and discipline records.  Help acquire grants for the improvement of our school  Motivate students and staff  Appraise teachers to improve performance and meet school goals  Began many new programs: Family Nights, S.T.I.N.G. program, E.L.E.C.T. Leadership group, An Evening with the Arts, PTO, Teacher of the month

Assistant Principal, Ferris Junior High School, Ferris ISD, Ferris, TX, 2006-2008  Maintained accurate records for discipline, textbooks, lockers, fire drills, etc.  Supervised common areas and school events  Helped with the administration of the school  Created our first newsletter

Assistant Principal, Mesquite Summer School (PM) Mesquite ISD, Mesquite, TX, 2005  Called parents when students were absent  Handled discipline issues  Entered data into the computer system

Site-Base Decision Making Chairman, Ferris Junior High, Ferris, TX, 2008-present  Provide resources for some areas of school improvement  Develop the Campus Improvement Plan  Discuss needs and concerns from each group represented

S.T.I.N.G. Team Chairman, Ferris Junior High, Ferris, TX, 2008-present  Went to training and researched Positive Behavior Support  Gather data on a monthly basis and share it with our faculty  Reward students for their positive behaviors  Began positive referrals

Sick Leave Committee Chairman, Ferris ISD, Ferris, TX, 2009-present  Review applications and prepare paperwork for the hearing  Conduct a hearing for sick leave applicants

School Health Advisory Committee Member, Ferris ISD, Ferris, TX, 2009-present  Review current health and physical activity opportunities for our stakeholders  Suggest new programs to positively impact our community’s health and well- being

Employee Dress Code Committee Chairman, Ferris ISD, Ferris, TX, 2010  Reviewed our district policy and made suggestions for a change  Reviewed other district’s Employee Dress Policy  Presented our new plan and got it approved

District Employee Incentive Committee Member, Ferris ISD, Ferris, TX, 2009  Reviewed incentive programs in other districts  Developed ways that we could improve our teacher retention rate  Staff voted on the options and the results were approved and implemented

Student Handbook Improvement Committee Chairman, Ferris ISD, Ferris, TX, 2008  Gathered the other assistant principals in the district  Reviewed our current handbook  Made significant changes and improvements

District Five-Year Plan Committee Member, Ferris ISD, Ferris, TX, 2008  Helped with the development of a needs assessment of our district  Helped develop a list of priorities for improvement over the next five years Teaching Experience

High School Science Teacher, Poteet High School, Mesquite, TX, 2001-2006  Taught I.P.C., Environmental Systems, GT Biology, Anatomy, Science TAKS Remediation  Served on several committees: Prom, Site Base Decision Making, Lighthouse Award (recognizes students who are often over-looked), Discipline  Sponsored H.O.P.E. club (environmental club)

High School Science Teacher, Mesquite Summer School (AM), Mesquite, TX, 2001-2004  Taught Biology to at-risk students and students trying to get ahead; wide range of abilities.  Created an environment for success and creativity

High School Science Teacher, South Oak Cliff High School, Dallas, TX, 2000-2001  Taught I.P.C. to low-income students  Served on C.I.T. committee

Additional Training/Professional Development

Assistant Principal Leadership Academy (Region 10), 2007-2008 P.D.A.S. Training, 2006 Mesquite Leadership Academy, 2005-2006 I.L.D. Training, 2005 S.T.A.R. Program (Mesquite), 2004

Professional Affiliations

Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, 2008-present ATPE, 2006-present

Honors/Awards

Work in progress

Civic/Community Service

Work in progress References

References will be included on the following page, if requested.