North Tampa Christian Academy is extremely honored to have the prestigious Dr. Heather Knight on our upper level team. An academic specialist who teaches dual enrollment English classes to students in the ninth to 12th grade, Dr. Knight has extensive education experience in writing and literature. Learn more about her and how she became part of the NTCA family!
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Dr. Knight spent nine years in the beautiful Caribbean before moving to the Bronx, New York, which she describes as a study in contrast with NYC being an “exciting, cosmopolitan and very diverse city.”
Dr. Knight attended a performing arts high school where she majored in vocal performance. After attending Howard University and Oakwood University for her undergraduate degree, she moved on to grad school at Loma Linda University to acquire a Master’s in English specializing in African-American literature. Following her upper-level education, she pursued a Ph.D. in English at Stanford University. As a young child, her desired profession was an airline stewardess. However, while in her freshman year at Howard University, she realized that she wanted to become like her “brilliant professors” — and that she did!
After 38 years of teaching, Dr. Knight offers a wealth of knowledge, professionalism, and sophistication at NTCA. “I do my best to choose essays and literary works that are engaging and relevant, and then I lead interesting and sometimes provocative classroom discussions,” Dr. Knight said. Above all else, her favorite concepts to teach are writing, grammar, and her expertise, African-American literature.
Dr. Knight’s repertoire also includes teaching Dual Enrollment English Composition 101 and 102. She enjoys preparing novice writers for college writing in order to achieve success in their upper education. “I especially love teaching them grammar with my famous red ink pen!” she said.
Her professional background has demonstrated her deep love for learning, and her passion to pass that love along to her students through the art of instruction. “I really want my students to have a ‘conversion’ experience in my classroom just like I did in my freshman Composition class,” Dr. Knight said.
The rewarding highlight of her teaching experience at NTCA is watching her budding young writers light up with joy when they internalize this new knowledge. “I love the high standards and academic aspirations at NTCA,” she said. “I also enjoy being a part of a new academic enterprise with so much potential and working with my wonderful colleagues. I hope that my students learn to delight in the craft of writing, learn to think critically, and learn to articulate their arguments both verbally and writing.”
When Dr. Knight isn’t enlightening her students, she of course enjoys reading, specifically novels by Tori Morrison, such as “Song of Solomon.” Traveling with her husband, listening to all types of good music, and the art of good conversation life pleasures she delights in.
Get to Know Dr. Heather Knight
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: I have a cute but somewhat finicky tabby named Nala, named after the character in “The Lion King”!
Q: What is your favorite movie or TV show?
A: I am currently binging on the Hallmark Channel movies. I also love the Broadway show “Hamilton”!
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
A: I am a fan of “Star Trek” (Live Long and Prosper), and so I would choose to have the superpower of being able to transport from one place/galaxy to the next (“Beam Me, Up Scotty!”).
Q: What is your favorite place that you’ve traveled to?
A: I loved the magical city of Venice, Italy, especially going on a gondola ride down the Grand Canal. On a similar note, I also enjoy the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
A: Sewing, singing, and playing a little piano.
Q: If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Any Jamaican dish with curry, and rice and peas!
At North Tampa Christian Academy, a Christian school located in Tampa, the faculty, staff, and families work as a team. Our service-oriented approach builds Christian leaders who think deeply, choose wisely, create beauty, and use their dreams to solve problems. Want to learn more about what makes us different? Contact us today.