Alumni Luke Knott Returns to Teach

March 9, 2022

Susquehannock alumni Luke Knott returns to his hometown to teach, after deciding to change his career path.

Knott graduated high school in 2014 and attended York College of Pennsylvania to major in intelligence analysis.

Luke Knott, Bryan Kerr, and Steven Nalls attended Susquehannock High School and played on the football team. Both Knott and Nalls have returned to teach at their alma mater. Photograph Courtesy of Luke Knott

His initial goal job was not to be a high school teacher, but instead it was to join the military and do intel for counterterrorism.

After graduating high school and trying a new job, he realized he needed to go back to school and try something new.

“I was working for a defense contractor and was coaching football and baseball,” Knott said. “I was not happy with my job and decided I was going to go back to school. I got the opportunity to come in early, and it was a natural fit.”

In the middle of his return to school, he was offered a job as the school was in desperate need of a teacher to fill the position.

His title as an emotional support teacher allows for daily tasks that vary day by day.

Knott sits at his desk in the morning and talks to students in the classroom. In addition to helping students in his classroom, he co-teaches with other teachers throughout the school. Photograph by Mackenzie Womack

“I work with my students on their emotional/behavioral needs as well as help them with their school work,” Knott said. “[I also] communicate with parents and other teachers to figure out how to best support the needs of my students,” Knott said. “[In addition to the emotional support teacher,] I co-teach several regular education classes such as geometry and history.”

Knott works alongside emotional support teacher Kara Miller in order to learn the profession.

Bringing in Knott was a big help to both the students and Miller.

“It has been really helpful because the previous teacher that was in his spot left last year, so I did not have much help,” Miller said. “It has been nice having somebody to work with me, even though he is new to this; he is learning all the ropes and doing a good job.”

Despite this being his first school year in the new profession, Knott is excelling, according to both the students and his colleagues.

Sophomore Spencer Sparks talks highly about Knott and why he stands out compared to the other teachers.

“I would describe Mr. Knott as a very strong-willed person,” Sparks said. “He always does anything to make sure that someone [has] a good day [or is] always laughing, I like that about him.I think his teaching styles are great. He always gets the message across [while always] making class fun.”

Not only does Sparks believe this, but Miller agrees.

Emotional support teachers Kara Miller and Luke Knott discuss a caseload both are currently working on. Photograph by Mackenzie Womack

“He is very good with the kids, as far as keeping a calm tone and calm voice,” Miller said. “He likes to talk them through things or relate to them on a one-to-one level which is a really good way [to handle everyday]. It is great having him to work alongside, and I think he is going to do great in this role.”

As Knott has only been in this position for one school year, he enjoys his job and hopes to be in this position for the next school years to come.

“I like what I do now,” Knott said. “It is different everyday, and I get to work with kids, so it’s always fun.”