2026 Employee of the Year Brittany Knuth
Brittany Knuth, Mental Health Professional at Hawthorn Elementary, is the 2026 Fort Zumwalt Employee of the Year. Knuth was surprised by district leadership, who delivered the news to her in front of a classroom full of ecstatic students.
For Knuth, supporting students and staff means taking on a variety of roles in her school community, and in Fort Zumwalt School District. She leads the care coordination at Hawthorn, sponsors Chess Club, serves as the Elementary Department Chair for the district’s Mental Health Professionals and is an active member of the FZ Education Association. Her family education bags are available on a variety of topics to provide reading resources, community resources and individual activities for students and families.
“Brittany is constantly thinking about ways to help improve herself and our school,” one nomination read. Among other things the nominations shared, was Knuth’s ongoing efforts to provide professional development for the district’s team of MHPs as well as for her team at Hawthorn. Her work to ensure her students and their families have the support they need has ranged from one-on-one meetings with students to making connections to ensure meals and supplies are accessible to all.
Knuth joined the Hawthorn team, and Fort Zumwalt, during the 2021-2022 school year. She will be celebrated at the annual FZSD Recognition Dinner in May.
Congratulations!