A True Covenant Knight
Meet Mrs. Kim Knight, accomplished educator, First Grade teacher, and former Covenant Mom
by Ashley Greene on November 15
The Covenant Preparatory School goes far beyond imparting knowledge and preparing children for collegiate success. We answer God’s call to develop and mentor the next generation of leaders so that they can impact our world for good. We take this responsibility very seriously, and so we take great care in recruiting our staff and teachers. Take, for example, Mrs. Kim Knight, one of our lower school faculty members, who teaches first grade here at Covenant.
Mrs. Knight began teaching in 1984 after graduating from Harding University. Throughout her career, she has taught at the Pre-K, Kindergarten, First and Fourth Grade levels. As a long-time resident of Kingwood, and after the school where she was previously teaching closed, God opened a door here at Covenant and she joined the faculty community in the fall of 2006.
When Mrs. Knight was asked what she loves most about First Grade, her answers always point back to the students. “The students love their school and teachers, and they are always eager to participate and rise to any challenge I give them,” said Mrs. Knight. “They love learning to read and eventually develop a love for reading. While they enjoy talking, I can guide their conversations and can explore topics more deeply. They begin the year quite dependent on the teacher for everything but gradually become independent learners.”
Speaking of independent learners, it is important to realize that Covenant faculty are all committed to imparting a lifelong love of learning to their students. “By integrating rigorous academic instruction with a focus on character development and spiritual growth with a Christian worldview, Covenant prepares students for both intellectual challenges and moral decision-making throughout their lives,” adds Mrs. Knight.
Not only does Kim get the opportunity to holistically develop students in our lower school, but she also has the pleasure of working alongside Mrs. Brooke Trevino, co-First Grade teacher here at Covenant. Brooke is not only a Northeast Christian Academy alum, but she is also Mrs. Knight’s first-born daughter! “Brooke has a beautiful spirit and soul, and embodies the characteristics of a Classical Christian educator,” said Mrs. Knight.
Here at Covenant, we talk a lot about the emphasis on and the importance of Classical Christian education, and most certainly this approach to learning is a main driver for many of our families that attend school here. “Classical Christian education emphasizes the importance of mastering foundational skills in reading, writing and math, which are essential for higher learning,” explains Mrs. Knight. “This emphasis on the Trivium (Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric) teaches students how to think, reason and communicate effectively. In lower school, students are introduced to these concepts in age-appropriate ways, laying the groundwork for critical thinking.”
Indeed Covenant’s mission is to holistically develop our student’s mind, body and spirit for the glory of God, and we do this through our Four Distinctives: Classical, Christian, Community and Caring. How does Covenant’s lower school put these distinctives into action? “We cultivate a classroom environment where students feel physically and emotionally secure,” states Mrs. Knight. “By establishing clear boundaries and fostering respect, we create a culture of love and safety. Students understand the importance of respecting themselves, their peers, and teachers.”
Whether a current or a prospective Covenant family, as parents we are charged with arguably the most important mission on earth–to establish a firm foundation for our kids and raise them according to God’s word. Proverbs 22:6 tells us that we are to “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Mrs. Knight is continually surprised with her student’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. “Their unique perspectives on life often remind me of the joy and wonder in the simple things,” she says. “My goal is to cultivate wisdom, virtue, truth, goodness, and beauty to glorify God. I aim for my students to excel academically and spiritually, and to integrate the Word of God into their learning journey throughout their lives.”
And so as we each continue along our own learning journeys, may we be both encouraged in our walk and also charged to ensure we are walking alongside our kids on their quest for wisdom, both equipping them and also supporting them with the Classical Christian education that Covenant provides.
“With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18