Kittie Weston-Knauer

In June 2007, Ms. Kittie D. Weston-Knauer retired from the Des Moines Public Schools

after a 33-year career in the field of education as a teacher, vice principal, and principal;

a nurturer in developing the potential within each of her students and staff; a creator and

facilitator of premier educational programming; and a researcher, writer, and presenter

on numerous topics related to youth and education.

Ms. Weston-Knauer has been and continues to be a community volunteer and activist.

As an avid cyclist, Ms. Weston-Knauer was instrumental in the rebirth of the sport of

bicycle motocross in Iowa, building a BMX track in Des Moines, Iowa. As a state,

national, and international racer, Ms. Weston-Knauer was the oldest female racer

finishing 7th in the 2007 UCI BMX Worlds, 51 and Over Women’s Cruiser Class, held in

Victoria, Vancouver, British Columbia. At 75, Ms. Weston-Knauer remains the oldest

female BMX racer in the nation. She works with various community individuals and

organizations to provide cycling activities for youth in Des Moines.

Ms. Weston-Knauer is a graduate of Drake University with a BS in Education (1970)

and an MS in Secondary School Administration (1973). She and her deceased husband

are the parents of two adult sons, a granddaughter, and two grandsons.