天美传媒

by Efe Tanci

鈥淚 want to change the world, change how people react and think and make the world a better place.鈥�

That is how Graham Knoll 鈥�07, M.A. 鈥�08, describes his passion for teaching. He began his career after earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in and a master鈥檚 degree in through the at 天美传媒.

Graham Knoll (second from right) spent three years teaching through the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program.

Upon receiving his degrees in the , he taught English for one year at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia (the alma mater of basketball legend ). Knoll鈥檚 passion then led him to go to Japan, where he spent three years teaching through the , which the Japanese government offers to qualified teachers in English-speaking countries around the world. Although the experience of living and teaching in Japan was a major challenge, Knoll made the adjustment with the help of his colleagues and students and because of his motivation to teach.

Knoll currently teaches fifth- and sixth-graders at the Bayside, New York, campus of , and he continues to touch students鈥� lives by transferring his knowledge to them. He credits Adelphi鈥檚 professors and the University鈥檚 education curriculum in shaping his career.

鈥淲hen I got into student teaching, I felt ready鈥攊t wasn鈥檛 as big of a step to go from student teaching to actual teaching,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey pushed me when I needed to be pushed and made sure I knew I was prepared for everything.鈥�

Because of Knoll鈥檚 passion, those who met him at Adelphi were certain he would succeed. 鈥淕raham Knoll always aimed high academically and personified the highest standards of service, leadership and character,鈥� S.T.E.P. director Carolyn Phillips said.

As a person who hopes to change the world through teaching, Knoll is already on his way with multinational teaching experience and a strong sense of pride in his students. 鈥淚t is very nice being able to watch students understand and learn about the world and be more curious about it,鈥� he said.