An Ideal Role Model for the Community

We are an AACPS: Business Partnership | 2020 Business Partner of the Year Nominee

Recognized for their support of AACPS by the Severna Park High School

Ed Knox, from the U.S. Small Business Administration, has been an integral part of SPHS’s Business, Innovation, and Leadership Signature program. As a member of the Integrated Signature Stakeholders Team, he participates in monthly meetings and collaborates with the team to determine the next steps and direction of the Signature program. He knows the success of the Signature program is a joint effort between the business community, faculty, students, and parents. He has maintained a very active role to ensure a successful program which enhances student achievement and opportunity. Having served on the ICST for 4 years, with over 200 volunteer hours, he has been instrumental in developing a unique curriculum that prepares Severna Park High School students for the 21st century workplace. With Ed’s help and resources, Severna Park High School has been able to develop the first student run screen printing, vinyl cutting, and laser engraving business in Anne Arundel County High Schools, SPCustoms. This class, Exploration 2, serves as the second class in the Signature program pathway. In its second year running, students have been able to gain experience in all aspects of managing and running a business. This includes manufacturing, distribution, customer service, marketing, and management. To date, the business has made over two-thousand dollars in profit and delivered over four thousand units of product. Student, Haley N. remarked, “This is the best class I have ever taken. I have learned so much about how businesses run because I actually get to do it! Every time I go into a store, I think differently now.” 

Mr. Knox continuously models the positive relationship between business partners and teachers by providing opportunities for teachers to make real-world connections to their curriculum. For the past four years, with his help and support, Severna Park High School has been able to arrange a faculty field trip, which enables teachers to visit local businesses and connect current industry trends with their curriculum. During Ed’s tenure, on the ICST, teachers have been able to visit Johns Hopkins Hospital, Amazon, Md. Port Authority, AOL, Masonville Environmental Research Center, and the Foundry Maker Space to name a few. Mrs. Earhart, English teacher, remarked, “This is the best professional development of the year. I love imparting the new knowledge that I learn from these experiences to my students. It keeps me fresh in my teaching so that I can make learning relevant for my students.” 

Ed’s partnership has been paramount in providing Severna Park High School students with real-world opportunities and workforce skills not only within the community but also globally.

Last fall, Mr. Knox was able to arrange a special behind the scenes tour of the White House and a special meeting with Senator Cardin. The students were able to discuss the importance 

of an entrepreneurial mind set and ways in which the federal government can assist them in their journey of success. 

Mr. Knox truly cares about the education of youth and cultivates the next generation of leaders. Through his partnership students are able to find their passion and gain experience to last a lifetime.