Alecia Knaub was named our 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year yesterday!
This award is nominated and voted on by the staff at RCS. Because of that, Knaub said this award feel more meaningful because it shows that the whole staff sees her and everything that has gone into this year. “It’s a little overwhelming, to be honest, even though it’s not like a huge thing, it is a huge thing to me.”
High school principal, Jeremy Martin spoke highly of Knaub, sharing that he has been in her room nearly every day this year asking for help. “This woman is one of my backbones,” Martin shared as he presented Knaub with the award. “I put so much on her plate that I have to remind myself I need to take some stuff off because I’m absolutely going to wear her down.” He added that she has never said no to his requests for help, jokingly saying, “and that’s her fault.”
This year, Knaub took on many responsibilities outside of her own classroom, such as covering other classes and helping coordinate senior speeches. She also took on the challenge of teaching the inaugural AP Seminar class at RCS, along with her regular English classes. She agreed with Martin that she has been unable to say no to the many requests the year has brought, but shared that it has also been helpful for her in her classroom. “I think I, as Mr. Martin said, foolishly took on way more than what I could handle, but that forced me to make sure I stayed connected with what I do in my classroom even more and not kind of go off the deep end, so I think that definitely helped me in a way, but next year my plate will be a little less full.”
When given the award, Knaub shared her appreciation with the whole staff. “I couldn’t have made it through this year without literally everyone in this room,” she said. “Hopefully, we can all stay cohesive and a family, just like we have been since I started here 7 years ago.”
We are so grateful for Mrs. Knaub and all the hard work, dedication and love she puts into her work here at RCS. She is an amazing member of our community and we are lucky to have her!