School Features
Kniseley to graduate to next phase of life
Published on Wed, Jun 2, 2010 by Rebecca CarrRead More School Features
With no experience, or even specialized training, he walked into that Los Angeles classroom where 40 boys sat staring at him expectantly, waiting to be taught.
“I never did student teaching, never took education classes,” he said.
Back then, they didn’t have the many continuing education resources and workshops available to today’s teachers, or the student teaching program that puts soon-to-graduate teachers in classrooms to learn hands-on from veterans.
Today, 45 years later, Kamiak’s assistant principal Kniseley has a computer on his desk, a Blackberry in hand, a multi-view security monitor mounted on the wall of his office, a closed-circuit television and a DVD player.
Back then it was a box of chalk and a lone mimeograph machine that teachers had to crank by hand, when they got their turn at it.
“If you didn’t have purple mimeograph ink all over your fingers at the end of the day, you weren’t doing your job,” Kniseley laughed.
This marks Kniseley’s last year in education after an impressive career in which he served as teacher, principal, assistant principal, counselor and superintendent at various points.
Assistant principal Jack Kniseley will retire after 45 years in education, the last 16 at Kamiak High School.
Technology has made some aspects easier than when Kniseley started; others more challenging.
Teachers not only compete with cell phones and iPods for students’ attention, but have to ensure their students aren’t giving themselves an unfair advantage during tests.
“We leave it up to the individual buildings and teachers, of what kids are allowed to have in class,” Kniseley said. “Some teachers think phones are a necessary communication link between students and parents.”
A lot has changed since that day in 1965, and not just in the area of technology.
Beyond the random fire drill to break the monotony of the day, today’s students practice earthquake drills, lockdowns, evacuations, intruder drills and more. In fact, Kamiak was in its second lockdown in a couple of weeks when this reporter interviewed Kniseley.
How do teachers find the time?
“Teachers are troopers,” Kniseley said. “There is probably no other profession with such a versatile population, none so important as the business of caring and teaching.”
Back when Kniseley started, kids with developmental delays and other issues weren’t in the public school system. Now they’re integrated into the classrooms with their mainstream peers.
“That has changed dramatically,” he said.
Today, teachers and administrators focus more on keeping students in school. Back then, students could drop out and go to work if they chose. Today, it’s next to impossible to find a job without a high school education.
“You had material you had to cover; you just covered it,” he said of the old days. “The students knew what was expected of them, and they did it.”
“Those were the days you could swat kids who didn’t do what they’re told,” he said. “Teachers never did, of course; the administration did.”
Kniseley didn’t have to resort to corporal punishment. Kids who didn’t cooperate in English or math knew they’d face an irate coach Kniseley on the gridiron at practice that afternoon.
“Their behavior was never an issue,” he said.
Kniseley said he enjoyed those early years, both working with the young people and meeting the parents.
“It was just a fun beginning experience,” he said. “The pay was not good, but the work was rewarding.”
Teacher pay is considerably better these days, if not commensurate with the hours put in. Kniseley’s windfall that first year? $4,200. That jumped to a comparatively robust $10,000 annually when he switched to the public school system a few years later.
“People don’t go into teaching to become rich. You have to have a love for young people and a desire to help them learn,” he said.
“There is no other profession where the rewards are so positive. Seeing young people graduate and move on with their lives and become productive citizens is the payoff.”
Kniseley said he has many fond memories and highlights, but after 45 years, it’s time to go.
“I only leave with fond memories of my years in education. The last 16 years at Kamiak were very rewarding,” he said.
“We have a wonderful staff, great kids. This is a very productive, high achieving school, with very supportive parents and successful programs in sports, music, debate, dance.”
Having worked at Kamiak for 16 years, Kniseley said he enjoys seeing his former students teaching in the Mukilteo School District and working with them in the business world.
“We have kids who graduated from Kamiak whose own children now attend,” he said.