It started when a kid knocked her socks off

When the Stanwood-Camano school board started honoring a Teacher of the Month, it didn't mess around.

The board members found a wonderful educator to spotlight, who messes around in fine style.

Julie Knight offers "sock dances" for accomplishments large and small.

She is famous at Utsalady Elementary School on Camano Island.

A first-grade class got to sock dance Monday morning to note an accomplishment.

"Julie comes into the classroom wearing a hamburger hat, which is a sight to behold," said Riitta Dunning, first-grade teacher. "She uses her special whistle to officially open the sock dance celebration. Students love this."

Knight always is helpful and hardworking, Dunning said.

"She is part of the Student Success Team," she said. "Julie does a lot to keep things working well in our building."

Knight, a Stanwood High School graduate, wears lots of hats, not just the hamburger. She is a reading specialist, facilitator and the learning assistance program reading and math tutoring supervisor.

She began by teaching third-graders.

"I love third-grade kids," Knight said. Children ages 8 and 9 are ready to learn and get her jokes, she said.

She always taught them to do their best and not be satisfied with "satisfactory" or "just OK." Instead, Knight told students she wanted them to "knock her socks off."

One day, a student struggled with multiplying by 3.

"I can't remember what I did or said, but if real life were like the cartoons, you'd have seen the actual light bulb over his head. I could then throw any '3 times blank is ...' at him, and he could give me the answer."

The whole class clapped because it was a great moment to celebrate. He looked at his teacher and asked if he knocked off her socks.

"I kicked off my shoes," Knight said. "I took off my socks. Luckily I had on regular socks because I was wearing pants."

She held the socks and started dancing and singing some silly song.

"The class just looked at me like I had gone nuts, but it was something they remembered. There were other times that I did sock dances during that year, yet it had to be for something that was above and beyond, going the extra mile."

Sock dances evolved to note good classroom performance. Students were eager to be recognized with their own sock dance.

"Do you know how long it takes 25 8- and 9-year-olds to take off their socks and shoes, discuss the different odors, dance with socks, discuss more odors and then put on socks and shoes, still discussing odors?" Knight asked.

So she collected goofy socks, and parties became more efficient as kids grabbed stockings from a big sack. She uses a boom box for music.

She was inspired by a writing expert who spoke at the school about how a regular burger is just bun and burger, with little flavor or details. Deluxe writing has details and juicy sentences -- the pickles, onions, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and more on a deluxe hamburger.

Knight found a hamburger to wear on her head and it's part of the show. She puts it on to acknowledge extraordinary learning and effort.

It's a spontaneous way to motivate students, without a lot of expense, she said.

How nice the school board tipped its hat to such an inspirational teacher.



Columnist Kristi O'Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.