PASD School Board Mtg. Sept. 13, 2018 – (From left) Michelle Olsen/Roosevelt Elementary Principal, Dr. Joshua Jones/PASD Board Director, Karen Doran/Roosevelt Teacher, Dr. Sandy Long/PASD Board Vice President, Sarah Methner/PASD Board President, Marty Brewer/PASD, Superintendent, William Kindler/PASD Board Director and Greg Lynch/OESD 114 Superintendent.
“As a result of her work, she helps create a building culture
focused on respect and student success.”
Roosevelt Elementary in Port Angeles is the fortunate school to have OESD 114’s 2019 Regional Teacher of the Year Karen Doran in its midst! Karen was honored at a statewide ceremony in Seattle on September 10, and Olympic Educational Service District Superintendent Greg Lynch celebrated Karen’s new title “Teacher of the Year” at the Port Angeles School Board Meeting on September 13, 2018.
She began her career in Mountainair, New Mexico and has gained nineteen years of valuable teaching experience throughout her work in New Mexico, Arizona, Florida and Washington, to share with her current fifth/sixth grade split class of Highly Capable students. A graduate of the University of New Mexico, Karen is working toward achieving her National Board Certification and Masters in Elementary Mathematics.
Meeting the needs of students and teachers has been a regular practice for Karen. Below are some examples quoted from excerpts in Karen’s nomination.
An example of meeting the needs of teachers:
“Assessing a need for capable mathematics teachers on the Olympic and Kitsap peninsula, the Olympic ESD 114, in partnership with Seattle Pacific University offered teachers in rural areas a grant funded opportunity to add an Elementary Mathematics Specialist Endorsement to their certificate. Through the learning she gained from this opportunity, she designed a series (28) of professional development (PD) sessions for district staff and Roosevelt teachers, creating a safe environment for people to learn and grow as mathematicians and math instructors. Resulting from the focus of professional development in math, the energy and excitement around mathematical instruction increased. In the end, over 125 staff members participated in the PD. Teachers are now spending more time on the planning of mathematics, implementing more engaging math tasks, and giving students time to struggle and persevere when solving challenging math problems. These shifts in instruction are making our students better problem solvers and mathematical thinkers.”
Examples of meeting the needs of students:
Karen hosts an after school Math Club and involves students the local Math Olympiad competition.
“As a result of her work, she helps create a building culture focused on respect and student success.”
“Students in Karen’s class also have the opportunity to interact with community members in unique ways. She currently works with a team of teachers to provide experiences through Community Partnerships and Snapshots (one-hour engagements where members of the community, often family members related to involved students, bring their expertise into the classroom). Over the past 4 years, they partnered with the Olympic National Park, Art Community, Law and Government, and Olympic Medical Center. These positive community interactions impact around 70 students each year.”
Olympic ESD and the entire region are grateful for Karen’s contributions to education!
Read more about Karen in the Peninsula Daily News:
https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/port-angeles-teacher-finalist-for-state-teacher-of-year/