Alumni Spotlight - Andy Knutson

Andy Knutson came to EvCC as a premed student and soon realized he had no idea how to be a student. “However, my instructors were positive, encouraging and made class fun on most days,” he says. After graduating EvCC, Andy attended Western Washington University (WWU), where he decided to become a teacher and coach. “The rigor in my EvCC classes left me well prepared for life at WWU,” he reflects. After earning a bachelor’s in chemistry and physical education (PE), Andy began his career at Lake Stevens High School, where he is a math/construction trades/PE instructor, as well as a wrestling and soccer coach.  Along the way, he also earned a math endorsement and a master’s in physical education. “Don’t be afraid to aim high and chase your dreams,” Andy advises. “Grind it out and keep working—the struggle will carry you through.” 

What is your current occupation/career?

Most importantly,  I am a husband and father of three, but I am also a math/construction trades/PE teacher, as well as a soccer and wrestling coach at Lake Stevens High School. 

How did you choose EvCC?

I chose EvCC because of price and convenience. I attended a local private college first and it wasn’t a good fit. I didn’t really know what to do or where to go next. I attended EvCC just to stay in school and keep moving towards graduation. I had no idea how much it would prepare me for a four-year college or how much I would enjoy it at the time I registered. I had great professors who were encouraging, knowledgeable, and great people. The rigor in classes at EvCC left me well prepared for life at WWU. I also had a great time playing soccer at Everett and still have relationships and great memories about it to this day. 

Do you think your time at EvCC helped you pursue your current career?

I came to EvCC as a premed student and focused on chemistry, physics, and math. When I got to Western, I realized what I really wanted to do was to be a teacher and coach. So I changed my major to chemistry and physical education. I had a great foundation from my time at EvCC and, even though classes were really tough in my major, I was well prepared and able to flourish. 

What did you do after you left or graduated from EvCC? 

After EvCC, I attended Wester Washington University and earned a bachelor of science in chemistry/physical education. After that, I earned a Washington State mathematics endorsement from Seattle Pacific and finally, a masters in physical education at Eastern in Cheney. I was hired at Lake Stevens as a teacher right out of Western and added the other endorsements/degree to be able to teach different subjects that interested me. 

Was there anyone during your time at EvCC who acted as a mentor for you?

I had two great professors who really were my pillars at EvCC. A teacher named Jerry was a fantastic math teacher who helped me through the calculus series and Nancy Howe dragged me, kicking and screaming, through inorganic and organic chemistry. They were both positive, encouraging, and made class fun on most days. 

What words of advice would you give to current EvCC students?

As a new student at EvCC, I had no idea how to study or be a student. I had to learn how to put in more time and effort to be successful. Don’t be afraid to aim really high and chase your dreams. It will be difficult, but that struggle is what will carry you through. You have to grind it out and keep working. I wasn’t always great at it, but I got through it. And I saved a lot of money!