A 16 year veteran teacher, Karen received her undergraduate degree from Penn State University in Kindergarten and Elementary Education and her Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland. She earned her National Board Certification in Early Childhood in 2011, and is recognized by Penn State University's Alumni Society as their 2013 recipient of the Outstanding Teaching Award. In addition, she has recently been awarded by the Virginia Lottery as its 2013 Super Teacher.