This Hispanic Heritage Month, Davis School District celebrates the story of Rosa Knight, who supports students and families through outreach, school-based interpreting, and recess duty at Bountiful Elementary.
As an immigrant and former foreign exchange student at BYU, Knight said she understands firsthand what newcomer and Spanish-speaking families experience when adapting to a new community.
“My mother raised four daughters on her own and sold everything she had to send us to college so we could learn English and receive an education,” Knight said. “That changed the trajectory of my life.”
Knight’s work focuses on building trust and belonging. She regularly reaches out to families with personal invitations to school events, encouraging them to participate in extracurricular activities, family nights and parent-teacher conferences.
“I hope to make our families feel heard, safe and included,” she said. “I want every child to feel a sense of belonging and to know that there is a trusted adult who cares about them.”
One of her favorite memories is organizing a small holiday celebration where families gathered to share food, music and connection.
“It was a joyful occasion,” Knight said. “For some families, it was their first time experiencing a Christmas turkey. Seeing everyone come together reminded me why I do this work.”
Knight said she often reminds students about the importance of education and perseverance.
“I tell them to do well in school, get along with others, and not be afraid to learn English,” she said. “Education is the most valuable gift they can receive.”
