The library at Kenmore East High School is usually a quiet place. Shelves lined with books and students quietly working create the perfect environment for research and study.

But today, the quiet is gone. Instead, it’s filled with laughter, debate, and gratitude for Christopher Knab, the beloved social studies teacher retiring at the end of the year after 30 years at Kenmore East.

"He just knows how to engrave it in your mind without you even knowing," Senior Rowan Riley said.

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Christopher Knab founded the Model United Nations team at Kenmore East in 1996. His current principal, then a freshman, asked him to start the team because the school didn’t have one.

"My current principal was a freshman in high school, little boy, and he asked me if I would start the Model UN team at Kenmore East… I didn't know what that meant. And I said, sure, why not?" Knab recalled.

Since then, the team has grown into one of the most successful programs at Kenmore East. Over the years, students have competed  at Model UN conferences, consistently placing at the top. This year’s team continued that tradition.

Students said the experience taught them more than just debate skills.

"Probably clocked in like seven, eight hours of research, but it was a good experience as a whole, talking to people, getting other people's opinions," Miguel Flores said. "I didn't want to just lack when other people are trying their best, and I don't want to have their hard work go to vain. It really instilled in us that I should always be reviewing my information, what I learned, and to never just go into something blind."

"He always says, curiosity is like the theory to knowledge or something. And it really is true. You just have to do so much research and really prepare yourself," Senior Lola Norris said. "Fun and just nice to be able to give that to him and be able to continue that legacy for him, because he deserves it."

This year was particularly meaningful. Not only was it Mr. Knab’s last as a teacher, but the team’s hard work and dedication paid off in a big way.

"They just, they jump, like they're gonna hit the ceiling. And this year's team was particularly special, not just because it was my last, but when they realized that they were gonna be called for first place… 18 kids, and they just all have their arms around each other. And when they yelled, when they said, Belgium, Kenmore East, they went nuts. And that's a great feeling," Knab said.

For many students, Mr. Knab is more than a humble teacher — he’s an inspiration.

"Biggest impact ever. To me, he's on my Mount Rushmore of Kenmore East. He is just the best ever. And he's one of those teachers where it's like, oh, I really hope I get to experience having him. And now that you have, it's like, you'll never forget having him. And he's just such an amazing person and teacher," Norris said.

Knab said the joy of teaching and seeing students grow has been the most rewarding part of his career.

"A lot of joy, and I still feel very young. And I still feel like, I still love to do it. Still love the kids. I love the challenges and the obstacles and everything that comes with teaching," he said.

Under Knab’s guidance, Kenmore East’s Model UN team has won dozens of awards over the last two decades, consistently representing the school at regional and national conferences. Students credited Knab’s mentorship for teaching them the value of preparation, curiosity, and hard work.