Honoring Rob Knight Written by Joe Mohr, Woodshop Teacher
In woodshop at the end of every class, Mr. Knight or I say, “It’s time to ‘reset’.” We say that because no child (or adult?) likes to hear, “It’s time to clean up!” To reset is to put the woodshop back the way it was when you got here; to reset the room to its previous state. It’s our least favorite time of class because it’s typically the only time we hear moaning and groaning in the woodshop. That’s not because the students don’t want to reset (or clean up), it’s because they want to stay in the woodshop. The act of working deliberately with your hands on something that interests you is one of the most important things a person can experience. Kids today lack the opportunity; they do not lack the desire or ability. Kids. Love. Woodshop. When I started here at Community School nine years ago I quickly learned another reason why kids love woodshop— Rob Knight. What I got to experience for the past nine school years, and what students at Community School get to experience for a span of seven school years (if they join Community by SK) is a unique gift. Just as the opportunity to work slowly and deliberately with our hands is becoming an increasingly rare act, it is also increasingly rare to find a teacher (male nonetheless) who is so kind, calm, and patient with EVERY SINGLE CHILD. I aspire to be that way and fortunately for me, I had the best example of “that way” for almost 2000 school days. Mr. Knight has time for every kid on any day. He listens and lets kids lead discussions, he interjects only when he feels it’s needed, and he uses humor at appropriate times, all while demonstrating a pervasive calmness and patience. Mr. Knight is also an amazing husband and father, woodworker, artist, musician, music lover, friend, maker, breaker, helper, cook, camper, hiker, biker, colleague, environmentalist, storyteller, gardener, and grandfather. I am blessed to have spent so much time with Rob Knight, and even though he is retiring after more than a quarter century at Community, his influence will live on here in the woodshop. I know I’ll stay in touch and continue to learn
from him, and I’ll always do my best to share all that I learned with future students. Rob Knight was a gift. The kids know it. Those of us who got to work closely with him know it. This article was written with the hope that the rest of you know it. Community is losing a true gift. To reset is to put the woodshop back the way it was. Mr. Knight cannot reset the woodshop, or the school. It’ll never be back the way it was. Because of Rob Knight, Community School will always be a much better place. Thank you for 26 years, Mr. Knight. You will be missed.
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