Due to recent budget cuts, the community is losing one of their most valued and beloved band/choir teachers, Mr. Knudson. 

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https://gofund.me/3396bbf4 

There isn't a day that goes by that you don't hear the students at the Prior Lake Middle Schools absolutely RAVE about how phenomenal of a teacher and educator Mr. Knudson is. He teaches band, choir, general music for 6th-8th grade, band lessons, after school choir and after school jazz band. You'll find Mr. Knudson not only in the classroom, but also at school events showing up to support his students in their other activities. Contributing significantly to the overall development and well-being of every child he teaches, Mr. Knudson has a knack for bonding and getting to know his students on a personal level. Recognizing the importance of community, Mr Knudson has a genuine way of teaching his students how to build community amongst each other, by cultivating a positive atmosphere where they can learn, grow and feel like they belong.

Removing Mr. Knudson from his role would deprive students of immensely valuable opportunities and lessons that were created by him. Mr. Knudson focuses on helping his students deepen their connection to today's musical landscape, with his own personal experiences. For example, he has performed jazz professionally nationwide and pulls from his wealth of knowledge and experience to teach his students jazz improv. Encouraging his students to keep expanding their musicianship, he invited a guest clinician to jazz band to further teach improv skills this past school year. As the primary DJ for the Middle Schools, Mr. Knudson is always providing a fun atmosphere for school events and in the classroom he likes to utilize digital teaching tools like the music studio platform GarageBand to show his students how they can produce their own music. 


In addition to consistently finding creative ways to teach his students, Mr. Knudson provided new performance opportunities for them. For example, he brought the choir to perform at the Tree Lighting Ceremony, an event that hasn’t happened in Prior Lake for nearly two decades. Mr. Knudson's vision for the upcoming school years also included implementing more community performances that are new to the music program. On top of all of that, Mr. Knudson values deepening their connection to music on an emotional level. He practices the Social Emotional Learning methodology in his classrooms, which allows students to apply skills to manage their emotions, feel comfortable communicating them and learning how to demonstrate empathy toward others. Using this methodology allows students to improve emotional interpretation of a piece music, use their emotions to fuel creativity, create music that resonates authentically with listeners and stay passionate and motivated to keep practicing their craft. Mr. Knudson is involved in every aspect of the music department and these are several ways in which he has uniquely impacted the music program as a whole.

Mr. Knudson’s students look forward to going to his classes everyday with the utmost joy. Parents also greatly appreciate the extra mile he goes to effectively communicate with them. Thanks to Mr. Knudson’s leadership and passion for teaching music, retention rates in the band and choir programs are HIGHER than ever before! This is why we URGE the school administration and the local education board to reconsider this decision and understand the impact it would have on hundreds of students who look up to Mr. Knudson both academically and personally.


SIGN this petition and help save Mr. Knudson's position and maintain the excellence of our school’s band and choir programs!
#savemrk

Please help by contacting the School Board members and Superintendent!
https://www.plsas.org/about-us/school-board/board-members
https://www.plsas.org/about-us/superintendent-of-schools