Name: Jill Knox
Job Title: Field Training Specialist
Where do you hail from:
Good old Lincoln, NE. I didn’t travel far!
What is it they say you do:
I work with Child and Family Service Specialists (CFSS) in the Southeast Service area. My primary job duties are to work with new CFSS in the field by supporting them with on the job learning as they try to figure out how to navigate this crazy difficult job and shadowing when they get families assigned to them. I do assist with some classroom training as well.
Who are your early influences/who inspired you most:
My family! For many reasons, my parents are at the top of the list. They are kind, giving, hardworking and loving, just to name a few attributes. They are my biggest supporters and have encouraged me every step of the way.
What has been an unexpected detour/ greatest frustration/disappointment:
I would say the most unexpected detour is that I ended up working in child welfare. As long as I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher in an elementary school. I have always felt “at home” when I walk in an elementary school…such a happy place! In college, I somehow decided to complete my internship with DHHS-Child and Family Services in Lincoln. It completely changed my path. I had a fantastic mentor, and the rest is history…
Family life/hobbies /community involvement:
My husband, Troy, and I have been married 20 years this year! We have three kids. Jacob is 14, Beau is 12 and Adyson is 8. Needless to say, I am at that point in my life where I am an ATM, a taxi, and so called “soccer mom”. Jacob is involved in everything athletic, so he keeps us going year round. Beau has a little more down time, but does soccer and archery. Adyson is the life of the party and likes to keep going us going as well with activities. I am very involved with my church, Horizons Community Church, and a lot of my community involvement is tied to that in one way or another. I also belong to a random acts of kindness group (with none other than Angie Graham); and my husband created a non-profit called Benevolence Inc., which I also help him in doing good deeds within the community. Lastly, being certified as a car seat technician, I help conduct community check events to ensure car seat safety for families.
The quotation I live my life by is......Kindness Matters! I tell this to my kids *almost* every morning. It only takes one small act of kindness to change someone’s day.