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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                                    KNIGHT
                        EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Agreement is effective as of August 2, 2000 ("Effective Date") between
Knight ("Company") and Robert Zinn ("Executive").

                                    RECITALS

     WHEREAS Company desires Executive to remain actively employed by the
Company; and
     WHEREAS Executive desires to remain so employed under the terms and
conditions set forth below;
     NOW THEREFORE, the parties mutually agree as follows:

                                   AGREEMENT

1)  Position and Duties. Executive shall be employed by the Company during the
    -------------------
    term of this agreement, and will commence employment as Executive Vice
    President- International Operations. Executive shall devote his full time
    and best effort to his position. Executive shall report to the Chief
    Executive Officer of Company and shall comply with the policies of the
    Company.

2)  Employment Period.
    -----------------
    a)  Basic Rule. This agreement shall have a term of three (3) years (the
        ----------
        "Employment Period"), beginning upon the Effective Date. The Company may
        terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the Employment Period
        pursuant to the terms of this Section 2. Following the Employment
        Period, the Company and Executive may mutually agree to continue the
        Executive's employment on an "at-will" basis. This Agreement shall
        automatically renew for additional one-year term unless either the
        Company or the Executive provides written notice to the other party 30
        days' prior to the expiration of the original term or any successive
        term of a desire to terminate or otherwise amend this Agreement.

    b)  Early Termination. Company may terminate Executive's employment prior to
        -----------------
        the end of the Employment Period by giving the Executive thirty (30)
        days advance notice in writing. If Company terminates Executive's
        employment without Cause (defined below), Company shall pay Executive
        severance benefits as set forth in section 6 hereof.

    c)  Termination for Cause. Company may terminate Executive's employment for
        ---------------------
        Cause (defined below) by giving Executive notice in writing. No
        compensation or benefits will be paid or provided to the Executive under
        this Agreement on account of a termination for Cause. Executive's right
        under the benefit plans of the Company following a termination for Cause
        shall be determined under the provisions of those plans. "Cause" means
        (i) a substantial failure to perform Executive's duties for the Company,
        (ii) misuse of corporate funds, (iii) any other act of gross misconduct,
        (iv) commission of any crime which would constitute a felony under
        applicable law or (v)

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        breach of any confidentiality, non-solicitation or non-competition
        obligation to the Company.

    d)  Executive's Commitment. Executive commits to the Company that he will
        ----------------------
        remain as an employee of the Company for the full period of this
        Agreement.

    e)  Termination as a Result of Death or Disability. Executive's employment
        ----------------------------------------------
        shall terminate in the event of his death. Company may terminate
        Executive's employment for Disability by giving Executive thirty (30)
        days advance notice in writing. No compensation or benefits will be paid
        or provided to Executive under this Agreement on account of termination
        as a result of death or Disability. Executive's rights under the benefit
        plans of Company upon such termination shall be determined under the
        provisions of those plans. For purpose of this Agreement, "Disability"
        means any physical incapacity or mental incompetence (i) as a result of
        which the Executive is unable to perform substantially all his duties
        and responsibilities hereunder for an aggregate of 120 days, whether or
        not consecutive, during any calendar year, and (ii) which cannot be
        reasonably accommodated by the Company without undue hardship.

3)  Compensation.
    ------------
    a)  Base Salary. Company will pay Executive a salary at the rate per annum
        -----------
        of $300,000, less applicable withholding, payable in accordance with
        Company's standard payroll policies. At least annually the Board will
        consider increases in the annual salary rate in light of Executive's
        individual performance and other relevant factors determined by the
        Board.

    b)  Bonus. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the 50% bonus plan
        -----
        of Company with a guaranteed bonus of $50,000 for the first year to be
        payable on March 15, 2001, as long as the Executive is employed with the
        Company. Executive shall be eligible for bonuses thereunder payable at
        such times as bonuses are paid to other Executives of Company. For the
        year 2000, bonus shall be based upon 100% of Plan #3 profit performance
        ($11,845,000 USD).

4)      Employee Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
        ----------------------
        eligible to participate in employee benefit plans or programs of Company
        to the extent that his position, tenure, salary, age, health and other
        qualifications make him eligible to participate, subject to the rules
        and regulations applicable thereto.

5)      Stock Options. Executive shall be entitled to option grants under the
        -------------
        Company's stock option plan as determined by the Board of Directors.
        Executive shall be eligible for an option grant of 60,000 stock options
        exercisable at the fair market value per share on grant date, vesting in
        3 equal annual installments over 3 year so long as Executive remains
        employed by the Company.

6)      Car Allowance. The Company will provide Executive with a leased
        -------------
        automobile such as a Mercedes SUV or equivalent and be reimbursed for
        all customary expenses.

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7)      Country Club Dues. The Company will reimburse Executive for annual
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        country club dues at Palo Alto Hills or the equivalent and be reimbursed
        for all associated expenses.

8)      Severance Payments. If Company terminates Executive's employment without
        ------------------
        Cause prior to the end of the Employment Period, Company shall pay
        Executive as severance payments a monthly amount equal to his then
        current monthly base salary (less applicable withholding) for 12 months
        or, if less, the remainder of the Employment Period. The severance
        payments described in this Section 6 shall discharge all of the
        Company's obligations to the Executive.

9)      Restrictions on Competition and Solicitation. As a condition to the
        --------------------------------------------
        effectiveness of this agreement, Executive agrees to enter into
        Company's Employee Noncompetition, Nondisclosure and Developments
        Agreement, a copy of which has been provided to Executive.

10)     General.
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   a)   The services of Executive are personal and may not be assigned or
        delegated by him. This Agreement shall otherwise be binding upon the
        legal representative, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

   b)   This Agreement and the agreement described above in 7 contain the entire
        agreement of the parties, and may not be changed orally, but only in
        writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of such change is
        sought.

   c)   If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid, illegal or
        unenforceable, such provisions shall be deemed reformed and construed to
        the maximum extent enforceable and such provision shall not affect the
        validity of other provisions of this Agreement.

   d)   This Agreement and any claim or controversy hereunder shall be governed
        by and construed according to the laws of the Commonwealth of
        Massachusetts. The federal and state courts within the Commonwealth of
        Massachusetts shall have exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate any
        dispute arising out of this Agreement.

Executive                                                   Knight

/s/ Robert Zinn                                             /s/ John Pino
---------------                                             -------------
By: Robert Zinn                                             By:  John Pino
                                                            Title: CEO

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.1
                          CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT
                          ---------------------------

     CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT, dated as of  September 7, 2000, by and between
SmarterKids.com. (the "Company") and __________ (the "Executive").  This
Agreement supercedes any other agreement between the parties.

     WHEREAS, the Company believes it to be to its advantage to employ the
Executive to render services to the Company as hereinafter provided;

     WHEREAS, the Company desires continuity of management; and

     WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to continue to render services to the
Company subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Executive agree
as follows:

     1.  TERMINATION FOLLOWING A CHANGE OF CONTROL.
         -----------------------------------------

     (a) If, at any time after a Change in Control (as such term is defined in
Section 3(b)), but prior to the date three (3) years from the date of a Change
in Control, the Company terminates the Executive's employment, the Company
shall:

     (i)  continue to pay to the Executive, in accordance with the Company's
          normal payroll practices and policies in effect from time to time
          (including any required withholding), the Executive's base salary
          (at the monthly base salary rate in effect for such Executive
          immediately prior to the termination of his employment) until the
          earlier of (i) six (6) months following the termination of the
          Executive's employment, or (ii) the date the Executive is employed by
          a subsequent employer or is engaged as a consultant (note: in the
          event of consulting income of less than base salary, the Company will
          compensate the difference) (the "Severance Payments"); provided,
          however, that the Company shall not be obligated to make any Severance
          Payments pursuant to this Section 1(a) during any period in which the
          Executive is in violation of the terms of his/her Employee
          Noncompetition, Nondisclosure and Developments Agreement with the
          Company;

     (ii) the date of the Executive's termination shall be the date of the
          "qualifying event" under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
          Reconciliation Act of 1985 ("COBRA").  If the Executive elects to
          continue medical insurance coverage after termination in accordance
          with the provisions of COBRA, the Company shall pay the Executive's
          monthly premium payments until the earlier of (i) the date which is
          six (6) months following the termination of the Executive's
          employment; (ii) the date the Executive obtains other employment, or
          (iii) the date the Executive's COBRA continuation coverage would
          terminate in accordance with the provisions
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                                      A-2

           of COBRA. Thereafter, if the payment of monthly premiums by the
           Company has ceased due to a reason in (i) or (ii) above, the
           Executive will be responsible for any and all payments for the
           remaining period of elected continued health insurance coverage under
           COBRA.

     (iii) In addition to any other vesting provisions that the Executive may be
           entitled to in accordance with other agreements with the Company,
           accelerate the vesting of all of the Executive's incentive and non-
           qualified stock options by six (6) months from the date of the
           termination;

     (b) For purposes of Section 1, "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of
one or more of the following events following a Change of Control: (i) the
assignment to the Executive of any duties substantially inconsistent with his
position, authority, duties or responsibilities immediately prior to the Change
of Control or any other action by the Company which results in a substantial
limitation in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a
substantial reduction in the aggregate of the Executive's base or incentive
compensation of the termination of the Executive's rights or any employee
benefits immediately prior to the Change of Control, except to the extent any
such benefit is replaced with a substantially similar benefit, or a reduction in
scope of value thereof; or (iii) a relocation of the Executive's place of
business which results in the one-way commuting distance for the Executive
increasing by more than 50 miles from the location thereof immediately prior to
the Change of Control (provided, however, that travel consistent with past
practices for business purposes shall not be considered "commuting" for purposes
of this clause (iii)); or (iv) a failure by the Company to obtain the agreement
referenced in Section 3(f).

     2.  TERM.  If a Change of Control has not occurred within three (3) years
         ----
from the date hereof, this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force
and effect.

     3.  GENERAL.
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     (a) Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein:  (i) the
Company's obligation to provide any of the amounts and benefits set forth in
this Agreement shall be subject to, and conditioned upon, the Executive's
execution of a full release of claims satisfactory to the Company releasing the
Company and its affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, directors, employees and
agents from any claims arising from or related to the Executive's employment or
severance from employment with the Company, including any claims arising from
this Agreement (the "Release"); (ii) the Company shall not be obligated to
provide any of the amounts and benefits set forth in this Agreement until any
applicable period within which the Executive may revoke the Release has expired;
and (iii) any amounts and benefits set forth in this Agreement shall be reduced
by any and all other severance or other amounts or benefits paid or payable to
the Executive as a result of the termination of his employment.

     (b) In the event the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated
by the Company for any reason other than without Cause, or the Executive
terminates his employment with the Company for any reason other than Good
Reason, the Executive shall not be entitled to any severance benefits or other
considerations described herein.
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                                      A-3

     (c) For purposes of this Agreement, "Change of Control" shall mean the
closing of:  (i) a merger, consolidation, liquidation or reorganization of the
Company into or with another Company or other legal person, after which merger,
consolidation, liquidation or reorganization the capital stock of the Company
outstanding prior to consummation of the transaction is not converted into or
exchanged for or does not represent more than 50% of the aggregate voting power
of the surviving or resulting entity; or (ii) the direct or indirect acquisition
by any person (as the term "person" is used in Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of more than 50% of the voting
capital stock of the Company, in a single or series of related transactions.

     (d) For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean: (i) the commission
of the Executive of a felony, either in connection with the performance of his
obligations to the Company or which adversely affects the Executive's ability to
perform such obligations; (ii) gross negligence, dishonesty or breach of
fiduciary duty; or (iii) the commission by the Executive of an act of fraud or
embezzlement which results in loss, damage or injury to the Company, whether
directly or indirectly.

     (e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the
Company determines in its sole discretion after consultation with its tax and
accounting advisors that the Executive is a Disqualified Individual (as defined
in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"))
and that any portion of any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the
benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a "Payment")
would be an Excess Parachute Payment (as defined in Section 280G of the Code)
but for the application of this sentence, then the amount of all such Payments
otherwise payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced
to the minimum extent necessary (but in no event to less than zero) so that no
portion of any Payment, as so reduced, constitutes an Excess Parachute Payment.
For purposes of this reduction, no portion of any Payment shall be taken into
account to the extent that such Payment, in the opinion of the Company, after
consultation with its tax and accounting advisors, does not constitute a
"parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.

     (f) Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor (whether direct
or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) of
the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall obtain the written
agreement of any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) of the Company to be bound by the
provisions of this Agreement as if such successor were the Company and for
purposes of this Agreement, any such successor of the Company shall be deemed to
be the "Company" for all purposes.

     (g) Nothing in this Agreement shall create any obligation on the part of
the Company or any other person to continue the employment of the Executive or
to employ the Executive for
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                                      A-4

any specific or definite term or length of employment. If the Executive elects
to receive the severance and benefits set forth in this Agreement by executing
the Release, the Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary
continuation, severance or other termination benefits in the event of his
cessation of employment with the Company.

     (h) Nothing herein shall affect the Executive's obligations under any key
employee, non-competition, confidentiality, option or similar agreement between
the Company and the Executive currently in effect or which may be entered into
in the future.

     4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND GOVERNING LAW
         ---------------------------------

     (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

     (b) This Agreement represents the complete and sole understanding between
the parties, supersedes any and all other agreements and understandings, whether
oral or written. This Agreement may not be modified, amended or rescinded except
upon the written consent of the Company and the Executive.  The invalidity or
unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other
provisions of this Agreement and this Agreement shall be construed and reformed
to the fullest extent possible.

     (c) The Executive may not assign any of his rights or obligations under
this Agreement; the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the successors and
assigns of the Company.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

     (d) The Executive represents that he has read the foregoing Agreement,
fully understands the terms and conditions of such Agreement, and is voluntarily
executing the same.  In entering into this Agreement, the Executive does not
rely on any representation, promise or inducement made by the company, with the
consideration described herein.

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the date first written above.

                                     The Company:
                                     -----------

                                     SMARTERKIDS.COM

                                     By:
                                         -----------------------------

                                     Name:
                                           ---------------------------

                                     Title:
                                            --------------------------

                                     The Executive:
                                     -------------

                                     ---------------------------------

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