I really thought I knew what retirement was going to look like.

After years in the classroom, I imagined that retirement would mean slowing down a little. Maybe having more time to read, bake, travel, enjoy my family, and finally get to all those things that seem to get pushed aside when life is busy.

And I have done some of those things.

But somewhere along the way, something funny happened.

I got busy again.

Not classroom-busy. Not grading papers at 10 o’clock at night busy. 😊

Just… busy doing things I enjoy.

I started a travel agency. I continued tutoring. I became involved in educational consulting. I have an Olive Tree skincare business. And I started thinking about how all of these different pieces of my life might actually fit together.

That is how Dr. Kelli Knight came to be.

But Let Me Back Up a Little…

Before I tell you about what I’m doing now, you probably should know a little about where I’ve been.

Teaching was a huge part of my life.

I loved the students, the relationships, the learning, the challenge, and those wonderful moments when something finally clicked for someone. Teaching taught me a lot about patience, flexibility, creativity, organization—and about people.

It also taught me that no two people are exactly alike.

That lesson has followed me into everything I’ve done since.

When I eventually retired from the classroom, I realized that although I was ready to leave the classroom, I wasn’t ready to stop teaching, learning, helping, and connecting with people.

So I didn’t.

I just found some new ways to do it.

Then Came Travel

I’ve always loved to travel, but I’ve discovered that I don’t just love traveling. I love everything that leads up to it.

I love the research. I love discovering a place and learning what makes it special. And, yes, I love making a pretty, detailed itinerary! There is something about putting all those pieces together that gives me energy rather than taking it away.

I love getting to know people and cultures through their food, museums, history, architecture, and natural beauty. I love the contrast between breathtaking landscapes and the incredible things people have built. And sharing those experiences with the people I love is every bit as special as experiencing them myself.

Eventually I realized that I could combine something I already loved with something else I’ve always enjoyed—helping people.

And Shining Knight Travel was born.

I especially love helping families create experiences together—whether that’s a multigenerational trip, a vacation after the kids have left home, a cruise, Disney, a big bucket-list adventure, or simply a much-needed getaway.

Because the older I get, the more I realize that the things we remember most aren’t necessarily the things we bought.

They’re the places we went.

The people we were with.

The stories we came home with.

The Teacher in Me Didn’t Go Away

I also continued tutoring and eventually moved into educational consulting.

There is something incredibly rewarding about helping a child begin to believe in themselves. I love helping a student recognize their strengths, partnering with parents and teachers to support them, and finding the approach that helps something finally make sense.

Sometimes it’s serious work.

And sometimes we’re laughing.

Sometimes we’re playing a learning game.

And sometimes there’s that magical moment when a student has worked hard and suddenly the lightbulb comes on.

“Oh! Now I get it!”

Those moments never get old.

Some things apparently don’t change just because you retire.

And Then There Was Olive Tree…

This one actually started with me being a little bit like Goldilocks.

I was searching for the skincare that was just right for me.

I tried different things, looked at different products, and kept searching.

Then, while traveling in Italy, I complimented two beautiful women I met in a market on their skin. We started talking, and they told me about the way olive oil is used in their culture—not only on their skin, but even as part of their diet.

I came home intrigued.

Several months later, I learned about Olive Tree People, also known as Oliveda, and discovered a completely different approach to skincare.

The products are waterless and are made with ingredients derived from the olive tree, with different products designed for different skin needs.

And I found things I genuinely loved.

One of the simplest things still makes me happy: removing my makeup without my eyes burning!

So my skincare journey eventually became another business—and another way to connect with people and share something I personally enjoy.

At first glance, travel, education, tutoring, and skincare may not seem to have much in common.

But I think they actually do.

People.

I enjoy getting to know people. I enjoy listening to them. I enjoy helping them find something that works for them—whether that’s the perfect vacation, a solution to an educational challenge, or skincare they love.

That common thread makes all of these different pieces of my life make a little more sense.

And Then There Are the Things That Aren’t Work

Because my life isn’t really about work.

My faith is at the center of who I am.  I love Jesus, and I am grateful for the way my faith shapes my life, my relationships, and the way I try to treat other people.

My family is incredibly important to me.

So are my friends.

I love the ordinary parts of life—sitting around a table, celebrating birthdays, gathering for holidays, laughing with people I love, watching my family grow, and making memories.

And then there are the little things that make me, well…me.

I’m a big reader, and if you know me for very long, you’ll probably discover that crime and murder mysteries are my favorite. James Patterson is one of my favorite authors, and a good mystery is hard for me to put down.

I love baking.

I love coffee—and I have a soft spot for a great coffee mug. There’s just something about having the right mug in your hand with a good cup of coffee.

And I love fall.

In fact, I’m perfectly happy to declare that fall begins in September. Give me all the pumpkin spice!

But as much as I love fall, my absolute favorite thing is Christmas decorating. So, really, my favorite season lasts from September through New Year’s. 😊

I love the traditions, the decorating, the food, the music, the anticipation, and all the little things that make that time of year feel special.

I love finding something new to try.

I love planning a trip and having something on the calendar to look forward to.

And I still love learning.

Maybe that’s the teacher in me.

Or maybe that’s just Kelli.

So What Is Dr. Kelli Knight?

That’s something I’m still figuring out a little bit myself.

But I know that I don’t want this website to be just another business website.

I want it to be a place where you can get to know me and find things that are useful, interesting, encouraging, or simply fun.

You’ll find travel inspiration, travel deals, and helpful travel tips through Shining Knight Travel.

You’ll find educational resources and ideas for parents and teachers.

You’ll find information about my Olive Tree skincare business.

You’ll find simple surveys you can use to tell me what you’re looking for, whether you’re interested in travel, education, or something else I can help with.

And you’ll find this blog.

A place where I can share some of the things I’m learning, places I’m discovering, books I’m reading, things I’m baking, holiday ideas, travel tips, and probably a few random thoughts along the way.

Because that’s really what this season of life feels like.

A collection of things I love.

A chance to use the things I’ve learned.

An opportunity to keep helping people.

And, perhaps most importantly, a chance to keep growing.

So, yes…

I retired from teaching.

Apparently, I was just getting started.

And I’m really looking forward to seeing where this next chapter takes me.

I’m glad you’re here.