Meet Mrs. Knowles

Mrs. Knowles began her career with the Ludlow Public Schools in 2004 following her graduation from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, VT where she earned  a B. A.  in Elementary Education and Psychology. Over the next seven years she taught Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade both at Veterans Park and Chapin Street Schools.

In 2011 Knowles accepted the position of Veterans Park School Principal where she remained until 2021 when she was  appointed co-principal of the new Harris Brook Elementary School along with Chapin Street Principal, Nikki Reed. Harris Brook Elementary School combined the two existing elementary schools to make one 106,250-square-foot building housing grades 2-5 on Chapin’s 13 acres campus. In April of 2022 Mrs. Knowles was tapped to lead Baird Middle School.

During her tenure as the Veterans Park Principal Knowles worked closely with students, staff and families to make their school a fun and inviting learning community where high expectations fostered an atmosphere of lifelong learning.  She was committed to creating a safe, supportive and respectful environment dedicated to learning.

Among her many achievements as the Veterans Park Principal Knowles developed standards for academic achievement, incorporated more arts into the curriculum, developed mentoring programs for students, and introduced Grow the Good, a program in which students and staff perform acts of kindness for Ludlow residents.

Knowles continued her education receiving an M.Ed. in Special Education from Springfield College in 2008 and a C.A.G.S. in Educational Administration from American International College in 2011.

In 2020 Knowles received the 40 Under 40 award from Business West. This award recognizes the area’s rising stars, and it has since become a coveted honor throughout Western Mass., shining a spotlight on individuals who have excelled professionally, but also in their service to the community.

Mrs. Knowles resides in Wilbraham with her husband and their two sons, Caden and Brock.  In her free time, she enjoys shopping, decorating, crafting, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.