As a tier two intervention specialist at Turner Elementary School , Carey Knox works with students on everything from self-control and collaboration to social emotional learning and behavioral skills . But it ’ s what he ’ s doing that ’ s not listed on the job description that ’ s putting him a cut above .
Knox , who is a San Diego native , started making his way toward Fresno to help his grandmother after she was diagnosed with cancer a few years back . He made stops in both Bakersfield and Tulare before landing in his current role with Fresno Unified , and it was during this migration that he decided to add another skill to his resume .
“ I ended up going to barber college . I just took a leap and I ' m like , ‘ Let me just dive in and cut hair .’ But I ' m telling you right now , it was very terrifying . The first day I was shaking , it took about three hours for my first cut ,” he said .
However , the initial trepidation did not last long , and Knox would soon find himself blending his new skills with his natural ability to connect .
Knox has more than a decade of experience working with the special needs community , and while he was in a role assisting adults with disabilities , he realized he would love to work with kids because of the potential impact he could make .
“ You can help them grow ,” he said . “ I ’ m that person giving high fives , I ' m making sure students are coming in happy . Or if they seem sad or depressed or just have that feeling of , ‘ I don ' t want to be here .’ I can come in with , ‘ Hey , what ' s going on , friend ?’” Knox said .
As he embraced his role at Turner , Knox noticed one student and thought , “ He comes to school every day with his siblings , but his demeanor is always off . How can I get him to smile ?”
Knox said it seemed as though the student had not had a haircut all year , so he approached his principal , Lisa McDannel , and let her know he had his barber license and could help during lunch . McDannel gave Knox the green light if he got the OK from the boy ’ s parents .
“ The mother gave me permission , and afterwards he was just so happy . He was running around the school laughing , dancing . You could see the change ,” Knox said .
It was obvious the makeshift barber chair would be a conduit for connection , and once word got out Knox was giving haircuts , his list of clients grew . He now fits students in where schedules allow and estimates he ’ s seen about 75 kids , and as they settle into his chair , he can see the weight coming off their
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