Staff Spotlight: Brianna Knoell - English teacher at LSB

Every week, we’ll shine a spotlight on one Lincoln Public Schools staff member! Get to know the wonderful people making a positive impact across various areas within LPS. This week, meet Brianna Knoell, English teacher at Lincoln Standing Bear High School.

“Brianna is a very strong instructor and has been very successful in engaging her students and helping to grow their reading and writing skills. However, the real reason for this nomination comes from how much extra Brianna has done on top of the teacher role. Brianna spearheaded Standing Bear's first-ever yearbook. Along with that, Brianna worked with our first-ever speech participants and spent countless hours after school and on Saturdays working with them to improve as the season went along. If that wasn't enough, Brianna also worked with her yearbook kids on creating Lincoln Standing Bear's news program. Brianna has been an amazing addition to our building, and we're lucky to have her!” Brandon Schuman, English department chair at Standing Bear High School. 

How long have you worked for LPS?
This will be my second year teaching, but I was a sub for two years before I became a teacher. 

What inspired you to become part of the education field at LPS?
My mom is an elementary teacher in LPS so I grew up helping in her classroom. I knew early on in my life that I wanted to be a teacher and I loved everything LPS had to offer, so I decided to stay home and begin my career here!

What has been your favorite part of working here? What aspect of your job do you find most rewarding?
It probably sounds cliche, but it really is the students. I’ve met and worked with so many incredible students in my time at LPS, even as a sub. As a teacher now, it is rewarding to build those relationships with my students and watch them really come into their own as they begin high school. One of the best moments from last year was when our inaugural yearbook came in and I got to watch the looks on my students’ faces as they physically held the book they had put so much hard work into.

Did you attend LPS as a student? If so, which school(s)? If not, where are you from?
I went to Zeman Elementary School, Pound Middle School and Southeast High School.

What path did you take after completing your formal education?
After high school, I attended Northwest Missouri State for a year before transferring to UNL where I got my bachelor’s degree.

What do you enjoy most about the Lincoln community?
I love how there is so much to do in Lincoln but yet it feels like a tight-knit community. I don’t think there has been a time recently where I have gone out and haven’t seen someone I know!

What is your favorite childhood book or a book that has influenced your life positively?
Like many freshmen, I read “The Odyssey” in ninth grade. Not only did I find it to be a cool adventure story,“The Odyssey” was also the first piece of literature I really had to work at to understand and I really liked the challenge it brought me. Trying to dissect the story is what made me want to be an English teacher.

Share a shout out to a former teacher who impacted your life.
I’ve had so many amazing teachers in LPS. It’s hard to pick just one, but Johnna Graff would have to be my choice. She made her classroom so fun and inviting, yet had high expectations for all students. I try to emulate her as much as I can in my own classroom!

Do you know a LPS staff member we should feature for Staff Spotlight? Fill out this form to nominate them!

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