About Us
The Knights in the Classroom is an onsite, tactile, interactive, memorable, curriculum based educational experience.
The company was created by Matthew R. Lawrence in 2010 while working with his other company, the Canadian Improv Showcase. The Canadian Improv Showcase is a professional touring theatre company that offers a wide variety of programmes including educational workshops. It was during one of these workshops where Matthew asked a teacher "where else in the curriculum do you think there is a need for interactive workshops?" Without blinking an eye the teacher answered: "medieval studies, absolutely!"
This was the spark that ignited and became the Knights in the Classroom. Matthew needed just a nudge to get the ball rolling as the medieval period had been a passion of his ever since he was very young. He took up archery at the age of 8 and in high school became York Region Champion (he has a record that still stands today). After college Matthew took up Olympic-style epee fencing and won several competitions. He even got married in a medieval ceremony. You can see photos from the wedding throughout the website.
With the support and guidance of his wife Andrea (then an elementary school teacher, now retired and a full-time instructor with the group), Matthew created the Knights in the Classroom and set forth to educate children in an exciting and interactive way: and it exploded in popularity! So much so that expansion was absolutely necessary almost immediately. The other instructors you see listed are the result of that expansion.
As of the 2015/2016 school year, the Knights in the Classroom have expanded beyond just the grade 4 curriculum. They now offer programmes for the entire Junior division (grades 4 through 6) as well as sessions for all elementary grades. They also offer secondary school programmes including their extensive stage combat workshops and an array of sessions exploring the grade 11 World History curriculum.
But that's not all! They also do special events, festivals, parades and so much more! They also have a series of programmes geared towards the seniors market.
In 2016 Matthew started O.E.I Onsite Education Inc. a registered educational charity. In doing so, he was able to combine his two companies (now referred to as programmes) under one umbrella with hopes of taking things to the next level by pursuing funding, grants and much more. Groups, schools, camps and seniors facilities can now explore sponsorship and grants to receive any of these amazing programmes at no charge!
The company was created by Matthew R. Lawrence in 2010 while working with his other company, the Canadian Improv Showcase. The Canadian Improv Showcase is a professional touring theatre company that offers a wide variety of programmes including educational workshops. It was during one of these workshops where Matthew asked a teacher "where else in the curriculum do you think there is a need for interactive workshops?" Without blinking an eye the teacher answered: "medieval studies, absolutely!"
This was the spark that ignited and became the Knights in the Classroom. Matthew needed just a nudge to get the ball rolling as the medieval period had been a passion of his ever since he was very young. He took up archery at the age of 8 and in high school became York Region Champion (he has a record that still stands today). After college Matthew took up Olympic-style epee fencing and won several competitions. He even got married in a medieval ceremony. You can see photos from the wedding throughout the website.
With the support and guidance of his wife Andrea (then an elementary school teacher, now retired and a full-time instructor with the group), Matthew created the Knights in the Classroom and set forth to educate children in an exciting and interactive way: and it exploded in popularity! So much so that expansion was absolutely necessary almost immediately. The other instructors you see listed are the result of that expansion.
As of the 2015/2016 school year, the Knights in the Classroom have expanded beyond just the grade 4 curriculum. They now offer programmes for the entire Junior division (grades 4 through 6) as well as sessions for all elementary grades. They also offer secondary school programmes including their extensive stage combat workshops and an array of sessions exploring the grade 11 World History curriculum.
But that's not all! They also do special events, festivals, parades and so much more! They also have a series of programmes geared towards the seniors market.
In 2016 Matthew started O.E.I Onsite Education Inc. a registered educational charity. In doing so, he was able to combine his two companies (now referred to as programmes) under one umbrella with hopes of taking things to the next level by pursuing funding, grants and much more. Groups, schools, camps and seniors facilities can now explore sponsorship and grants to receive any of these amazing programmes at no charge!
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