Biography

Kate S. Knight is an accomplished dog trainer, educator, speaker, and writer. She is the founder of Clear Signals Dog Training of Alameda, California.

Kate possesses the coveted Certificate in Training and Counseling from the nationally-recognized San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, which emphasizes positive, reward-based training techniques. While trained in all aspects of puppy and dog behavior, she specializes in rude, jumpy, mouthy dogs, even when they are considered aggressive. Kate believes that any modification to a dog’s behavior will be more successful and more long-lasting if the owner-guardian participates in the dog’s training, which is why her practice serves ‘both ends of the leash,’ a phrase made famous by dog trainer Kurt Unkelbach.

Kate’s expertise as a dog trainer is a natural extension of her years as an educator in both the public and private sector and her early college training in Behavior Modification. Kate has worked as a writer and instructional designer for a range of high technology companies, from early-stage startups to giants such as Microsoft, Oracle, and Cisco Systems. For the last six years Kate has taught computer and career skills to so-called ‘at-risk’ students at Royal Sunset Continuation High School in San Lorenzo. She is the Founder of a Community Technology Center in San Lorenzo which is in its fifth year of providing free computer access, Internet access, and English as a Second Language training to area residents.

Kate combines her expertise and experience in high tech and dog training with a monthly podcast called “The Good Dog Show.”  She and her husband, writer Jerry Franklin, produce and host the show, which can be downloaded at www.dogworks.libsyn.com. Her monthly column, “Ask Kate the Dog Trainer” appears in The Alameda Sun newspaper.

In addition to her SPCA Academy certificate, Kate holds a masters degree in instructional design from California State University, Chico; a masters of fine arts degree in screenwriting from UCLA; a teaching certificate from California State University, Sonoma; and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She resides in Alameda with her husband, two dogs, and a cat and welcomes a dog or two for ‘social board and trains’ with the family.

Resume Highlights

Kate S. Knight

Objective

To achieve humane results for both ends of the leash in the field of animal behavior and dog training using my Certification in Training and Counseling (CTC) from the SF SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, and degrees in Psychology and Instructional Design, along with media technology experience.

Career Highlights, Canine Professional

- Founder of Clear Signals Dog Training.
- Trainer, behaviorist, instructor, writer, speaker, and course developer.
- Founder and host of the monthly podcast “The Good Dog Show.”
- Writer of “Ask Kate the Dog Trainer” column appearing in The Alameda Sun.

Career Highlights, Public Education & Technology Training

- Founder of the on-going Community Technology Center which provides free technology access to East Bay.
- Currently working in technology-based public education for so-called ‘at-risk’ high school students with focus on careers, online learning, computer basics, and electronic music.
- Designed curriculum for Microsoft Windows NT.
- As project manager at Oracle Corporation, I managed the creation of database curriculum.

Experience

2001-Present, Royal Sunset Continuation High School, San Lorenzo, California
Technology-based instruction in public high school
- Designed a mastery learning system for keyboarding achievement.
- Managed funding for a technology-based music program.
- Designed one of the best such public school music labs in the country.
- Created and managed an evening technology program for the community focused on supporting  limited-English-speaking adults.
- The program also offered free childcare in our onsite pre-K. This very successful program has supported over 3,000 person hours of learning.
- Created an introduction to electronic music production course, a career development course, and a class for high school seniors designed to help them launch themselves as adults.

2000-2001, KSK Publications, Alameda, California
Contributing Writer and Editor
- Published monthly articles in Purple Squirrel, a human resources monthly.
- Published cover articles in Certification Magazine, a magazine about IT certifications.
- Published news briefs for IT Contractor Magazine.

1998-2000, Oracle Corporation, Redwood Shores, California
Program Manager
- Spearheaded million-dollar implementation of credential programs for data server sales consultants.
- Researched and created white papers, proposals, program plans, process guides, and needs  assessments.
- Led teams for Web-based, technology-based, and instructor-led curricula.
- Managed seven-member instructional design team.
- Organized task force on the redesign of Oracle’s internal testing tool.
- Managed vendor relationships.

Credentials, Classes, and Degrees

- Cantankerous Canines Course, SF SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, San Francisco, California
- Starting and Running Your LLC, dogTEC training and education center, Oakland, California
- CTC, SF SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, San Francisco, California
- MFA, UCLA, School of Theatre, Film, and Television, Los Angeles, California
- MA, CSU, Chico, School of Communications in Instructional Design, Chico, California
- K-12 Education Certification, Sonoma State, Rohnert Park, California
- BA, Bowling Green State University in Behavior Modification, Bowling Green, Ohio

References: Just ask!

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