Lani McKnight

Well hello there! My name is Jelani McKnight, but I go by Lani, and I’m ecstatic to be joining Freedom School as an SLI in my first year. If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I bring the energy like coffee, but louder. With a degree in psychology, I love understanding and supporting people, especially kids. As the football coach at Oak Grove High School, I’m all about building confidence, teamwork, and a culture where every player feels valued. When I’m not on the field, I’m either whipping up crazy recipes in the kitchen, chasing after my high-speed 2-year-old son, Karter, or spending time with my amazing fiancée, Daeja. My goal is simple: create a fun, positive, and encouraging space where students can grow, learn, and laugh. Whether it’s cracking jokes, making up handshakes, or being the loudest cheerleader in the room, I’m here to help kids show up as their best selves—on and off the field.