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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2002

News Release

Katherine Wright Knight Receives The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence

Arkansas Teacher Honored at Foundation Gala

Washington, D.C. - The NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE) congratulates Katherine Wright Knight of Little Rock, Arkansas, as the 2002 national recipient of The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. This annual award recognizes, rewards, and promotes excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession, and honors public education and the dedicated members of the NEA. Ms. Knight was announced as the awardee last night at the foundation?s 8th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, where she was presented with a personalized commemorative gift and a check for $25,000.

Ms. Knight is a ninth and tenth grade English teacher at Parkview Arts/Science Magnet High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Nominated by the Arkansas Education Association, she has been an active leader in the association since 1982. Ms. Knight was among five finalists selected earlier this year as recipients of The Horace Mann-NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence. The Horace Mann Companies provides funding for these awards, including a cash prize of $10,000 for each finalist, and financial support for each to attend the gala.

One of the first teachers in the central Arkansas area school district to receive National Board Certification in adolescent/young adult English language arts, Ms. Knight has continually examined and refined her teaching practice to better serve both students and colleagues. ?I think that we have to recognize that education is not the same as it was 20 years ago. We may want students to read the same book, but we have to find another approach in terms of encouraging them to do it. That?s what I try to do. Reading is such an important issue. I?m finding ways to incorporate what students like with what they need, such as integrating television, cartoons, and other media into the classroom setting. This makes teaching a little easier.?

The NEA Foundation also would like to congratulate the four other finalists for The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence-Anita Gibson, The Alabama Education Association; Stephen Smallwood, the Oklahoma Education Association; Jennifer Lynne Williams, the Idaho Education Association; and Judie Woodhouse, MEA-MFT-as well as the affiliate awardees, grantees, and NEA members who go to work every day to teach, to learn, and to strengthen public education.

In addition to celebrating teaching excellence at the gala, The NEA Foundation also presents The NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education. This year?s recipient is LeVar Burton, Host and Co-Executive Producer of Reading Rainbow for his outstanding support of children?s literacy.

For more information about The NEA Foundation?s awardees, grantees, or the event, please visit the NEA Foundation's web site. A video of the awards ceremony is also available.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.