Today we’d like to introduce you to A.J. Knight.
Hi A.J., we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Having the opportunity to play sports and being part of teams made all the difference in the world! I developed a love and appreciation for both education and sports at an early age thanks to my parents, Chris & Joyce Knight. With my mom being a teacher and my dad being an experienced athlete, great character and work ethic were constantly being modeled and instilled. They set high expectations, provided incredible support, and made significant sacrifices for me to be actively involved in extracurricular programs; knowing that the involvement would be to my benefit.
As it turns out, the lessons and experiences from this involvement are what I believe reinforced me having a positive mindset, having the discipline and toughness to stay committed through hard times, and having a true understanding of the effort it takes to not only accomplish goals but to go beyond expectations.
I was able to earn academic and athletic scholarships, play four years of college baseball, and obtain both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Sports and Exercise Science. During that time, I also had the opportunity to gain invaluable experience and knowledge as a Graduate Assistant for my university’s athletic department. That’s where I was able to learn and truly appreciate all the details that go into providing the opportunity for me and all my fellow student-athletes to continue playing the sport we love.
After college, my baseball career came to an end and that led me to pursue other opportunities.
Three years later I married my incredible wife Susanna, who is a School Psychologist. Two short years after that, we were blessed with our first child.
It was, at that point, when I decided to re-join her in the education field and pursue a career as a teacher and a coach.
Soon after I began teaching and coaching, I was fortunate enough to receive some amazing mentorship and opportunities to grow from fellow Educators, Coaches, and Administrators. These opportunities and experiences led me all the way into becoming an Executive Director of Athletics for a school district serving nearly 16,000 students.
After five years in that role, a completely new and unique opportunity presented itself.
The ExCEL Center at Terrell ISD was created with a vision that I felt was a calling as it was such a close representation of my own journey.
I knew this opportunity would allow me to make the most of my abilities and truly help others benefit and share the same positive experiences I was blessed to have. Needless to say, I graciously accepted the call and now, both my wife and I are blessed to serve the amazing students and community of Terrell ISD.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always struggles when it comes to designing, building, and operating something like the ExCEL that has such a broad reach and impact. But overall, I would consider the road relatively smooth. I truly love what I do, the people I serve with, and the fact that we get to see the results of our efforts in so many people including my own son and daughter. With everything considered, it’s easy to have a mindset that views the negative things not so much as struggles, but more as challenges, or opportunities to adapt and improve the impact we have on the people we serve.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am proud to serve as the Director of ExCEL for Terrell ISD. The ExCEL (Excellence Center for Enhanced Learning) is a Terrell ISD facility that was built to offer year-round access and opportunities beyond the campuses. In my role, I strive to consistently focus on the quality and impact of our programs in order to grow the outreach to our students and communities.
We primarily specialize in providing students with purposeful after-school and summer youth sports programming that include leagues, camps, and tournaments.
In addition to youth sports, we have also been able to offer academic enrichment programs for Art and STEM as well as programs for students with special needs.
During school, the facility hosts over twenty class sections each day, for athletics, physical education, dance, color guard, and cheer.
Additionally, throughout the year, we facilitate several district and non-district events such as; College Fairs, Awards and Honors Banquets, Field Days, Robotics Competitions, Special Olympics, Professional Development Trainings, Health Clinics, Charitable Events, and more.
Through all of this, we have been able to provide access to truly beneficial opportunities. From our youngest students joining a team and playing a sport for the first time, to our High School upperclassmen and graduates volunteering as coaches, and earning income as referees, and event staff, to all of our Terrell ISD staff and community’s senior citizens having free membership to the ExCEL Fitness Center.
I would have to say that one of the things that I am proud of and definitely grateful for, is the opportunity to foster and develop great relationships and partnerships with so many of the amazing people and organizations within the Terrell community and beyond. It’s their contributions and involvement as well as the support and dedication of Terrell ISD that I believe sets us apart and allows us to have the impact that we do.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
For me personally, the characteristics of Optimism, Perseverance, and Great Work Ethic are what I can attribute to nearly all of the accomplishments and success that I’ve been fortunate enough to have. These were qualities that were instilled by my parents and strengthened because I was involved in sports and extracurricular activities. This is why I am dedicated to fostering opportunities for others to develop those types of characteristics and experience success in their own lives. Overall, I believe there is a true beauty in the reciprocity of being actively involved in sports and enrichment programs. The qualities and characteristics that are naturally obtained from that involvement are proven contributors to success. Then, when you are able to experience that success, you ultimately tend to have the ability and motivation to pay it forward for generations to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.terrellexcel.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TISDExCEL
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-j-knight-52400013/
