About Karen

Career in Education

Karen's teaching career began with secondary maths.  After assisting with a Literacy program while her children were young, she had a desire to help these students more.  She returned to uni and then worked as a Special Education teacher.

Karen taught Literacy and Numeracy at TAFE to students who hadn't completed year 10.  This opened her eyes to the many complex needs in our society.  Her students included ex-prisoners, people on drugs, homeless, and others with a range of physical and emotional impairments.

From here, Karen moved into mainstream schools, teaching students with severe learning difficulties.  There were many refugees in the school, who had emotional issues, as well as speaking limited English.  There were others whose parents were on drugs and students from violent homes.

All of this gave Karen the desire to do more to help these students.  Hence her return to uni, where she completed studies in Student Wellbeing and then moved into chaplaincy in a primary school.  As a chaplain, she was able to chat with students who otherwise wouldn't have fitted into the requirements to get counselling.  These students would often approach Karen in the school yard and ask if they could come and talk.  She also ran lunchtime knitting and puzzle groups for students who felt uncomfortable in the playground.

Karen now visits schools, kinders, playgroups and libraries to share her book, class activities and songs with the children.

Writing

Karen has written and published a children's picture book about a cat and a dog, exploring the topic of individual differences and family relationships.

Since the death of her 10-day old granddaughter, Karen has been working on a children’s picture book for young siblings of a child who dies. This book is a vital resource for parents, counsellors, teachers, nurses – anybody dealing with young children who experience such grief.

Karen is also working on her memoir, which speaks of healing and forgiveness experienced after she received counselling and prayer for depression.

Music

Karen sang in choirs for several years.  She then joined a church music group and began to write her own songs.  She has recorded two CDs in gospel-folk style and continues to sing in church.

Karen has written a children’s song called Everyone is Different. After reading Scruffy and Silk, Karen teaches this song to the children. They enjoy copying the actions and can add their own verses about individual differences.

Family

Karen is married to Jeff.  They live in Melbourne and enjoy camping, bushwalking, ballroom dancing and cryptic crosswords.

They have three adult children and three granddaughters.