March 13, 2024
Karen has a passion for creating meaningful and inclusive teaching and learning opportunities. This love is rooted in a decade of teaching high school biology, physics, and environmental science. Now with MSS, she sparks joy in learning with educators and administrators and brings a wealth of experience developing equity-driven curriculum, professional learning, and assessments.
Prior to joining WestEd, Karen led national education reform efforts that cultivated a productive pipeline between science and mathematics education research, policy, and innovative resources and professional learning for educators and administrators to increase equitable STEM classrooms for all students. Her research has focused on educative curriculum design, supporting STEM administrative leadership, teacher pedagogical knowledge of using data and mathematical/statistical reasoning when modeling, and effective formative assessment design.
Her own educational journey includes earning a BS in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, along with an MS in Educational Leadership and Policy and PhD in Science Education from the University of Georgia. When not working, she spends as much time as possible outdoors and traveling — a trail run or hike, kayaking, or biking is best when done with friends and family in different countries!