Kent Knudson began his educational career at Northwestern High School in Mellette, SD. He accepted a job in 2003 as 7-12 Music/Theater Director at West Lyon (IA) CSD located in Inwood, Iowa and taught there for thirteen years. In August of 2016, Kent became the Dean of Students in the Summit (SD) School District. He currently serves as 6-12 Principal in the Canton School District after previously serving for three years as Assistant Principal and Activity Director there. Along with Administration, he has taught Fine Arts, English Literature, Social Studies, and Music. Additionally, he assumed Guidance responsibilities, and has been a District Testing Coordinator. Kent graduated from Northern State University with a Double Major. He received his Master’s Degree from the University of Sioux Falls in 2014 and an Educational Specialist Degree in Leadership and Administration in 2017. Some of his honors include 1996 Northern State University Homecoming King, 2005 Sioux Falls Area KTWB Teacher of the Month, 2011 West Lyon District Educator of the Year, 2016 South Dakota Beadle Club Scholarship Recipient for Higher Education, the 2017-2018 SASD Leadership Academy, 2017 University of Sioux Falls Servant Leader Award, 2018 South Dakota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Friend of Athletics Award, and he was voted to serve on the South Dakota High School Activities Association Music Advisory Committee in 2020. Additionally, he served as a President of the West Lyon Education Association from 2008-2016 where he demonstrated his passion for and dedication to teachers. Most importantly, he has a lovely wife, Kamille, and two young girls, Finley (10), and Maisey (8).
~ I believe in how essential a positive public school experience can be for students, which is why I have tried to demonstrate a lifelong advocacy for teachers because they are most responsible for positively impacting learners. I believe in fervently promoting education and expert instruction so that teachers may nurture and challenge our students to become great scholars, knowledgeable citizens, and stalwart patriots so that our communities may thrive. Giving all of our students the gift of outstanding teaching is the first step in assuring equality of opportunity and the stakes extend well beyond the classroom as the connections they create will be felt beyond their own measure. It is as if teachers make magic. ~