RAYTOWN, Mo. — Dr. Penelope Martin Knox took over as superintendent of the Raytown C-2 School District three years ago. Since then, she has been working to expand what quality looks like in the district.
"I want the impact to be recognized that we are just as good as anybody else, and I will invest in that and I will stand on that. Just making sure that our kids are looked at with high expectations, they're treated with respect, our staff is treated with respect,” Knox said.
Knox started in education as a music teacher, inspired by her past educators. She moved up the ladder — not by choice but by direction.
The superintendent moved from the Baltimore area to Raytown, becoming the district’s first female and person of color to lead the district.
She said in the last 10 years, the district’s student demographic has shifted to be made up of a majority of minority groups. Knox said the student population is 67% students of color, with 51% being Black.
"We talk about the research of windows and doors, making sure that when students look through the windows, they can see themselves and they can see themselves in the future," Knox said. "I believe that having someone who can associate, if you will, and telling my own story to let you know all hope is not lost."
Students call her Dr. PMK, and the high schoolers nicknamed her Queen. The informal names could be attributed to how involved Knox is in students' lives.
She noticeably makes herself available and approachable to her students. When asked why she is so involved, even taking emails and phone calls from them directly, she said it’s because that is who she works for.
"They're our primary customers, and so sometimes we as adults and as leaders, we make these plans about what's best for children without asking children," she said. "We believe that children don't know, but they do. They know what it is that they need."
Regarding her staff, Knox rewards those with perfect attendance with a day off. She will then step in and be the substitute in their classroom.
Knox explained that's her approach to showing her staff they are valued, hoping it impacts retention rates.
“Never forgetting each one of the roles that I held, that you never forget the journey that you had in each one of those capacities, and you continue to give individuals what it is they need to be successful,” Knox said.
When asked what she wants her lasting legacy to be in the district, Knox said it doesn’t rest solely on her or one project but on everyone’s outlook on Raytown schools.
"I would say it's because of my leadership in the team that we have, and it's truly just investing in the academia, looking at what's happening in our classroom to ensure that we have high expectations and standards for our children,” Knox said. “So, as we're continuing to make wins, if you will, for children to be able to look back to say it's been a shift in that mindset, we now have a growth mindset, and it's as a result of Penelope's expectations.”
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KSHB 41 reporter Claire Bradshaw covers eastern Jackson County, including Blue Springs and Independence. Share your story idea with Claire.
