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George Knights
George Knights is director of professional learning communities and K–12 assessment for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District in southern California. He has been a principal, an English teacher, and an activities director.
George Knights
George Knights is director of professional learning communities and K–12 assessment for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District in southern California. In this role, he leads the charge for PLCs districtwide and supports principals as they lead their teams toward continuous improvement and greater student achievement. His frontline experience translates into dynamic presentations that deliver practical information. George has been a principal, an English teacher, and an activities director at the middle school and high school levels. A dedicated practitioner with over 20 years of experience in education, George offers his professional development participants proven strategies for successfully implementing PLCs.
As former principal of Newhart Middle School and assistant principal of San Clemente High School (both in the Capistrano Unified School District), George played a key role in building collaborative teams, creating systems of intervention, and continuously advancing all PLC initiatives. San Clemente ultimately gained recognition for being among the top 2 percent of America’s best-performing high schools, as reported by Newsweek. His work there culminated with the design and implementation of a freshman academy, and he also served as its administrator.
George has been an eloquent and inspiring advocate of PLCs ever since his transformative experience at San Clemente. He has shared this success story with teachers and administrators nationwide, presenting at the Orange County Department of Education’s High School Summit, National Association of Secondary School Principals Convention, and numerous PLC events.
George received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Pepperdine University.
Presentations by George Knights
- Getting Started With Your PLC
- Bringing Your PLC to Life: Keeping It Real
- Collaboration: Building Your PLC Team
- Learning: Keeping the Focus in Your PLC
- Pyramid of Intervention in a PLC
