Finding Greatness: Ashleigh Knight
Author: News Bureau
Posted: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 1:55 PM
Categories:
Pressroom | Honors/Awards | Finding Greatness | School of Education | School of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Macon, GA
Full Name: Ashleigh Rebekah Knight.
Age: 22.
Hometown and Residence: Macon.
High School: Central Fellowship Christian Academy, where she played fast-pitch softball and ran track, served as president of the National Honor Society, was a member of the drama team, praise
band lead vocalist and class salutatorian.
Family: "I have amazing parents (David and Angie Knight) who have supported me throughout my
entire college journey!"
Employment: "I've been hired to teach in the Houston County School System after graduation."
Degree Objective: Bachelor of science in Early Childhood/Special Education.
Class Rank: Senior.
Primary Campus: Macon.
Activities: Middle Georgia State 2016 Academic Recognition Day Scholar, Outstanding Academic Excellence Award for Macon School of Education Cohort, 2015 STEAM summer camp lead teacher, Future Georgia Educators Conference speaker/presenter.
Career Goals: "My dream has always been to become an educator. Since I was a young child, I have felt the call to teach children. As I have grown older, that desire has grown into a love for children and a commitment to help each child become the best version of themselves. I have a heart of compassion for learning and seeing children grow socially, emotionally, and intellectually until they thrive. My goal is to not only teach academics, but to nurture the hearts and lives of each child that enters my classroom."
She chose Middle Georgia State University because … "An exceptional and challenging education program is offered. Going to a local university allowed me to complete my student teaching in the
area that I wanted to work in, which gave greater accessibility to a job opportunity. Going to college locally has allowed me to stay involved in my community and church where I’ve been able to serve as a Sunday School teacher, AWANA leader and choir and drama team member."
The greatest thing she discovered about Middle Georgia State was ... "The professors! Each professor at MGA has been exceptional, especially the Education department faculty. Each faculty
member is dedicated to helping each student become the greatest person they can be. I have been able to create friendships with the custodians, the facility/maintenance directors and the professors. The small class sizes, accessibility of each professor and kindness of each faculty
member have been phenomenal."
Her greatest academic experience has been … "The School of Education. It has by far been the most academically challenging two years of my educational career. The first two years of college were
challenging, but the final two years in the School of Education changed who I was as a person. I had to learn the balance between being the best student I could be while staying involved and connected with my family, friends and church. The program has made me a better person as I have
learned how to handle high levels of stress and learned time-management strategies. I feel extremely prepared as a teacher and confident that my professors will be willing to help me as I
begin my first year teaching."
To her, “greatness” means … "Embracing who you are and using the talents you’ve been given while never being satisfied with where you are as a person. Greatness is being the best version of yourself while working to become the best version of yourself."
One thing people don’t know about her is … "I was diagnosed with a rare health condition called
Dysautonomia (which affects the autonomic nervous system) when I was 15, but through God’s grace, I am almost in remission from the condition at this time!"
The one person she'd most like to meet is … "Elisabeth Elliott. She inspires me through her
compassion, love, and forgiveness in spite of her tragic loss and circumstances. She did not
allow tragedy to keep her discouraged, but she used her tragedy to move on to greater things.
Her bravery was an amazing act of faith and obedience when she went to share the love of Christ
with the people who killed her husband. Her testimony and life remind me to be brave and never
underestimate how God makes everything work for our good. I want to love people and have the
compassion that her life exhibited."
In five years ... "I plan to be teaching elementary school while obtaining my master’s degree in
Curriculum and Instruction. I hope to be making a difference in many students’ lives and
becoming a Teacher of the Year at my school!"