AISD Officially Dedicates the Kenneth R. Knippel Education Center

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Susan Knippel, center, second row, and family members pose with members of the Aldine ISD Board of Trustees, Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney, and former superintendents M.B. “Sonny” Donaldson and Dr. Wanda Bamberg, around the photo of former Assistant Superintendent of Administration Ken Knippel.

For 39 years, Ken Knippel devoted himself to the students and staff of Aldine ISD. On Sunday, Nov. 7, the district rewarded his loyalty and dedication to AISD by officially dedicating the Kenneth R. Knippel Education Center in his honor.

Mr. Knippel’s family, friends, and colleagues gathered for the dedication ceremony.

For 13 years, Mr. Knippel served as the Assistant Superintendent of Administration, and one of his goals was to have the district build a new alternative education facility. That dream became a reality in 2015 when Aldine voters overwhelmingly passed a $798 million bond referendum. Part of the bond package included building the new Aldine Education Center (AEC). Mr. Knippel saw his dream become a reality when AEC opened in August of 2018.

Knippel Dedication Video

Unfortunately, Mr. Knippel passed away in January of 2020. Aldine ISD’s Board of Trustees knew how much the facility meant to him and voted to re-name AEC the Kenneth R. Knippel Education Center in his honor.

The dedication ceremony was originally scheduled for April 2020, but due to the COVID 19 pandemic, it was rescheduled for Sunday, Nov. 7.

Mr. Knippel’s wife Susan thanked the Board for re-naming AEC after Mr. Knippel.

“I’d like to humbly thank the Aldine Board of Trustees for voting to re-name this valuable education center as a tribute to Ken’s great love for Aldine ISD,” Mrs. Knippel said. “I’d like to thank the past and present board members, the Executive Leadership Team, principals, teachers, friends, and family for being here today.”

Mrs. Knippel said Ken cherished working with Aldine’s students.

“The students of Aldine, or ‘kids,’ were Ken’s favorite part of every job. He always wanted to be where they were. He liked being in the commons, in the hallways during class change, in the cafeteria, on the bus ramp, and at after-school events. He said you can learn a lot about kids by knowing who their friends are, watching how they interact with others, and observing what they eat for lunch.”

Mr. Knippel graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s of science degree in Physical Education with a Minor in History. He graduated Cum Laude.

In the summer of 1980, he interviewed with then AISD Athletic Director, M.B. “Sonny” Donaldson (who later became Superintendent of Schools) and Teague Middle School Principal Sue Wooten. He accepted a job as a coach and History teacher at Teague Middle School and thus began a 39-year association and devotion to Aldine ISD.

During his 39 years with Aldine, Ken served as a teacher, a coach, assistant principal, and principal of three campuses (Parker Intermediate School, Nimitz Ninth Grade School, and Nimitz High School). He was the first-ever principal at Parker and Nimitz Ninth. In 2006, he was named Assistant Superintendent of Administration, a position he held for 13 years. Mrs. Knippel added Mr. Knippel’s mentors were Mr. Donaldson, Mrs. Wooten, former Superintendents Nadine Kujawa, Dr. Wanda Bamberg, and present Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. Others who served as his mentors were Wilbert Johnson, Barbara Glass, and Vernon Lewis.
While he enjoyed all of his roles, Mrs. Knippel said Ken cherished his time as a principal.

“Ken had many important and challenging jobs, but his most favorite and his hardest jobs were being a building principal,” she said. “Ken believed a building principal was the unwavering pillar, the cornerstone and foundation of the school’s environment and culture.”

That’s why seeing the district build a new site for its alternative education center was so important to him, Mrs. Knippel said.

“Ken believed in the theory that we are all born innately good,” she said. “It is circumstances and consequences from decisions we make that lead us in the wrong direction. He wanted all kids to earn their diplomas, and he never wanted to give up on anyone. His mantra was always to do what’s best for the kid. Sometimes to keep all kids safe, it was best to remove a student from their home campus for placement at the alternative center. The worry was the temporary buildings at the Alternative Placement Center had a dreary punitive atmosphere. For a long time, Ken tried to find a more positive environment for the kids and the staff at the Alternative Center.”

Mr. Knippel was able to see the new Alternative Education Center open, which was his proudest moment during his 39 years with the district.

“The AEC was the professional accomplishment that Ken was most proud of, and he retired a happy man,” Mrs. Knippel said. “This place offers everything that was important to Ken. It satisfies a valuable need for the whole Aldine Community. It provides a way to keep all kids safe, the kids who come here and the kids at home campuses. Most importantly, the KEC is a game-changer with the right teachers, the right administrators, the right staff for the right students at the right time, where kids can learn to use their time and talents to make better decisions and become a better version of themselves.”

Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney worked with Mr. Knippel for a short time, but in that time, she realized what an amazing individual he was.

“Thank you, Susan, for sharing your husband with us for all of those years,” Dr. Goffney said. “As many of you know, Ken was a devoted husband to Susan and father to Katie, Emily and Amanda and a doting grandfather to Alexandra.

“Although we only worked together for a short time, Ken was instrumental in making my transition from Lufkin to Aldine a smooth one, something that I will never forget and for which I will forever be grateful.”

Dr. Goffney added his peers well respected Mr. Knippel.

“You know, leadership matters in Aldine ISD, and he (Ken) was a giant when it came to leadership. He served as a mentor to many individuals who are now leaders in Aldine and school districts across the Houston area. Perhaps one of Ken’s greatest traits was the empathy he had for others, especially our students. Many of you know how much he believed that all students matter – even those that have had trouble in school or needed a different learning environment.”

Former Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg worked closely with Mr. Knippel and leaned on him for counsel when difficult decisions had to be made.

“He was proactive in his actions and thoughts, thinking about the future and always looking for ways to improve,” Dr. Bamberg said. “He always had my back, and I trusted him. He was often the first to respond to my emailed question or request. We had many 4 a.m. phone calls over the years to discuss the weather and road conditions before canceling school. I appreciated his loyalty.”

Dr. Bamberg added he wasn’t only loyal to her but the entire district.

“More important than his loyalty to me was his loyalty to Aldine ISD,” she said. “In his many roles over the years, he was dedicated to whomever he served: students, staff, and colleagues. As principal, he was loyal to his teachers and staff as he supported them to support students. As an area and assistant superintendent, he was loyal to the principals; assistant principals and directors he served, on duty early in the morning, taking calls and helping people solve problems. As he worked with students struggling with discipline issues, he did his best for them and treated them with dignity and hope.”

Dr. Crystal Watson worked with Ken for many years and considered him to be a mentor.

“In the school of Knippel, you learned that you must be strategic in your thinking, not simply thinking one step ahead, but think about the many steps after that as he would have questions about all of those steps. Ken Knippel knew everything, and I assure you that is not an exaggeration. From Pre-K to graduating seniors, from child nutrition, transportation, student services, athletics, attendance, health services, guidance and counseling, buildings and properties, construction, he could drive every square mile of Aldine and tell you the history and stories behind it all.”

Dr. Watson said naming a facility that meant so much to Mr. Knippel was a fitting tribute.

“Thank you for your everlasting impact on me, on countless families, and creating leaders that serve with focused and disciplined accountability because we know it is how you lived and how you loved,” Dr. Watson said. “Thank you for allowing us to confront our fears and embrace the hope of what could be for every student in Aldine. No one deserves this honor today more than you! It is beyond right.”

KEC Principal Gerald Schattle said he appreciated Mr. Knippel’s dedication to building a new facility for AEC students.

“The temporary educational complex on Lauder created an environment that exposed students and staff to the elements during transitions, and technology lagged in comparison to other district campuses,” Schattle said. “This inferior educational experienced bothered Mr. Knippel and pushed him to champion for a permanent facility that would serve both as the DAEP and house our GAP students from Lane School.”

Schattle added Mr. Knippel’s deep faith played an important role when dealing with students and parents.

“Mr. Knippel’s faith as a Christian was also a contributing factor in how he interacted with students and parents from KEC. I sat and attended many hearings and witnessed how he would take time to know each person. He always made time for students and parents and never made anyone feel inferior. This love and compassion made him reflect on each decision and how it would affect the child and family. This modeling of leadership was transferred to our team here at KEC.”

The dedication ceremony began with a video of former colleagues and friends sharing their stories and insights of Mr. Knippel. The Davis High School JROTC presented the colors, and former Knippel student Cesar Gonzales Granado led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the Texas flag. Father José Carmen Hernández Angelo, the pastor of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, delivered the invocation. Sheleah D. Reed, Chief of Staff, introduced special guests, and Dr. Goffney delivered welcoming remarks. The Nimitz High School Choir performed three songs, and Board Secretary Conception “Connie” Esparza accepted the school on behalf of the AISD Board of Trustees. KEC staff member LaShunda Walker accepted the campus on behalf of the staff and students at KEC. Following Mrs. Knippel’s remarks, daughters Katie, Emily, Amanda, and granddaughter Alexandra unveiled the portrait that will hang at the KEC. Dr. Goffney delivered closing remarks.