Personal Description:
Having taught at RMHS since 1992, Kurt Knierim earned his undergraduate degree in History in 1990 from Colorado State University. He earned a Master's degree in Education in 1998 from Lesley University and a Master's degree in American History from Colorado State University in 2012. In addition to his duties at RMHS, Knierim holds adjunct positions in the History Departments at Colorado State University and the University of Colorado Denver.
Educational and Professional Background:
Current Position
August, 1992-present
Social Studies Teacher, Rocky Mountain High School
Poudre School District, Fort Collins, Colorado
Adjunct Positions
Instructor
Department of History
Colorado State University
Adjunct Instructor, CU Succeed Gold Program, Department of History
University of Colorado at Denver, Denver, Colorado
Co-Instructor/Liaison
School of Education, College of Applied Human Sciences
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
Academic Preparation
Master of Arts, Major in History
Colorado State University
Master of Arts, Major in Education
Lesley University
Bachelor of Arts, Major in History
Colorado State University
Professional License
November, 1990
State of Colorado Professional Teacher License, Secondary Social Studies
Courses currently teaching at Rocky and previous courses taught at Rocky:
2015-present Secondary Social Studies Methods (EDUC 465)
2015 Economics
2012-present We the People: A History of Civil Rights
2007-2009 Secondary Teaching Methods (EDUC 450)
2006-present United States History to 1876 (HIST 1361)
2006-present United States History since 1876 (HIST 1362)
1998-present Advanced Placement United States History
1994-present United States History Survey
1992-1996 World Geography and Cultures
1992-1993; 2011 World History Survey
Courses Developed and Introduced
2001-present Civil War Living History Independent Study
What does the Lobo Way mean to me?:
The Lobo Way embodies what a functional and productive citizen should be. Thoughtfulness, courtesy, altruism, and integrity are characteristics of this concept.
Interest & Hobbies:
Mr. Knierim enjoys time with his family, bicycling, and participating in Civil War Living History.
Honors & Awards:
2017 Outstanding Educator, CU Succeed Program, University of Colorado, Denver
2015 Educators Who Have Made a Difference Award, Rocky Mountain High School, Varsity Volleyball Team
2014 Lifetime Most Influential Teacher Award, Rocky Mountain High School, Varsity Baseball Team
2012 Teachers Who Have Made a Difference Award, LDS Teacher Appreciation Night
2011 Outstanding History Education Program Award,Fort Collins Historical Society
2010 History Teacher of the Year for Colorado,Gilder-Lehrman Institute for American History
2010 Lifetime Most Influential Teacher Award, Rocky Mountain High School Varsity Baseball Team
2009 Professional Service Award, Colorado State University School of Teacher Education and Principal Preparation Educator Licensing Program
2009 Senior Fellow, Teacher/Scholar of the Constitution, James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
2008 Lifetime Most Influential Teacher Award, Rocky Mountain High School Varsity Baseball Team
2007 Josephine Miles Award Excellence in Colorado History Education, Colorado Historical Society
2006 Teacher of the Year, Poudre School District Community Foundation Excellence in Education Award
2006 Distinguished Educator Award, Masonic Lodges of Fort Collins
2002 Teacher of the Year Award (Nominee), Colorado Council for the Social Studies
2001 Honor Teacher, Rocky Mountain High School MESA Club
1997 Honor Teacher, Rocky Mountain High School MESA Club
Favorite Quote:
βIt is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.β β Theodore Roosevelt