CCHS Principal Knox: The Mission Continues



CCHS Principal Knox: The Mission Continues

CCHS Principal Tim Knox.

Cannon County High School Principal Tim Knox has been instrumental in developing new programs and a plan for overall academic improvement. Cannon Courier Co-Editor Tony Stinnett recently conducted a Q & A with Knox as the current school year winds to a close. Following are some of the responses:

CANNON COURIER: Where did you earn your college degree? When?

KNOX: David Lipscomb University1991 with a Master's in Education fromMiddleTennesseeState.

CC: When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in education?

KNOX: While at Lipscomb watching my friends struggle through their business classes I decided the corporate world was not for me.

CC: Why did you choose a career path in education?

KNOX: I loved being in school when I was a student and believe schools are exciting places to be..I also have a passion for kids, so it was the obvious choice for me.

CC: When do you begin working at CCHS?

KNOX: 1997

CC: What have been your different roles at CCHS?

KNOX: Coaching, teaching, administration. I started out teaching World Geography and History; Head Baseball Coach; Assistant Boys' Basketball Coach, Head Boys' Basketball Coach; Assistant Principal; Athletic Director; Principal

CC: What led you to choose being a principal as a career path?

KNOX: I decided while in college that I needed to prepare myself one day for being a school administrator for later in my career in case the opportunity presented itself.

CC: What do you enjoy most about the position of principal?

KNOX: I enjoy the people … the CCHS staff, our kids, and the stakeholders; and just the everyday challenges.

CC: What are some of the programs you have implemented that have worked at CCHS?

KNOX: I have been part of a team that helped bring in the following: Positive Behavior Support; the modified block; and our PAWS 50-minute lunch program.

CC: What do you feel is your finest accomplishment at CCHS?

KNOX: It has not happened yet, but I want all of our students to be proficient and advanced in their end of course test and every student to graduate with college readiness.

CC: What do you consider to be your strengths as a principal?

KNOX: Just basically loving to be around people; building relationships

CC: What makes a good principal?

KNOX: Truly caring for all of your students and creating a positive and safe climate where they can learn.

CC: What would you consider to be the most difficult aspect of your job?

KNOX: The challenge of providing our students with the best possible education and challenging and motivating all students in the classroom

CC: What's special about CCHS?

KNOX: The staff.  It is the entire faculty that makes CCHS what it is. 

CC: How do you think education has changed over the years and what challenges and opportunities do you think students these days are faced with and have access to?

KNOX: There are certainly more demands on both the faculty and students to perform at high levels.  More decisions are based on data from testing; I think schools are held more accountable than ever before which means the students are held more accountable. Our students are coming more and more from dysfunctional backgrounds which presents more challenges for teachers.

CC: What should new students who start CCHS next fall expect to find?

KNOX: A caring faculty who will work hard to help make every student successful

CC: Aside from being a principal, what do you like to do in your spare time?

KNOX: Spend time with my wife and three girls; spending time with church; and watching my Commodores.

CC: What was your favorite part about high school?

KNOX: The relationships definitely and eating powdered doughnuts for lunch everyday.

CC: Additional comments?

KNOX: Just that CCHS is not wear we want to be but we have a vision and a mission where we want it to be.  Our staff works hard and that is paying off for the students.  We welcome parents and community members to visit anytime and volunteer their time, talent, and we will even accept their money!