Karen Houck

Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because of the many amazing teachers in my life who helped me to grow in both knowledge and character. I wanted to be able to do the same for another generation of students.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was when a young man came back to the school about 12 years after I had taught him in 4th grade. He told me that I had changed his life, basically by telling him he had the potential to be anything he wanted to be if he only applied himself. He took that to heart, and that advice he said, had carried him through some hard times. It reminded me that every interaction with my students has the potential to change their lives.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use a portion of it to make some repairs to my 1936 farm house. I would donate a portion to the school being built by Take Heart for Africa. I would use a portion to take some art courses to improve my craft and teaching, and, I'm sure I'd spend some on some fun purchases for my art classroom.