Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Russ Knopp is honored by SE Washington Association of School Administrators
Russ Knopp and Waitsburg Superintendent John Mishra.
WAITSBURG – For Russ Knopp, "retirement" may have meant stepping away from his official duties, but it hasn't slowed down his passion for helping kids. On June 14, the former Waitsburg Elementary School principal, Preston Hall teacher and current school board member was awarded the Southeastern Washington Association of School Administrators Community Leadership Award at the 2018 SEWASA Annual Honorary Banquet held at the Meadow Springs County Club in Richland.
Knopp was one of 13 individuals and groups, representing 23 school districts across southeast Washington, to be honored at the event. Award criteria included: benefit to students, leadership, motivation, success, cooperation/coordination with local district, recognition by others and history of service.
Knopp is present at nearly every school function, chronicling most for inclusion on the school website or Facebook page. At school board meetings, he is always pushing to involve students in the administrative and decision-making process. His voice can always be heard asking, "Is this best for the kids?"
"I have waited 50 years and traveled thousands of miles to find the person that exemplifies servant leadership," Waitsburg School District Superintendent Dr. Jon Mishra said in his presentation. "I found him in Waitsburg, Mr. Russ Knopp. Mr. Knopp has served the students, staff and community for Waitsburg for 25 years."
Mishra added, "Mr. Knopp has been instrumental in leading the district into a web and social media presence. He has been archiving the recent bond project with hundreds of pictures. Mr. Knopp comes into the schools on an almost daily basis to work with children from kindergarten to 12th grade. His contributions are endless,".
Humble as always, Knopp said he appreciated the award but is just doing what he should be doing to support student and staff.
Area community members Judi Pilcher of Dayton, Ed Townsend of Dixie and David McIlroy of Starbuck were also recognized for their outstanding contributions toward education.
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