Administrator Spotlight

Karen Grady

Gifted and Talented Specialist, Guy Fenter Education Services Coop

Karen Grady, Gifted and Talented Specialist at Guy Fenter Education Services Cooperative, says others might be surprised to learn she has only been in the education field for 11 years. "I actually have a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science," she says. When circumstances led to her needing a new career path, she decided education was a perfect fit for her life situation and interests. "I had always been involved in my sons’ school — 15 years as PTO President when I retired LOL — and I really enjoyed my oldest son’s friends who were just becoming teenagers." So, at age 40 and as a single parent of two boys, she found herself walking into a 7th grade science classroom for the first time, the same semester she started her MAT. "I started my teaching career at Lavaca Middle School. I taught 7th/8th-grade science for 3 years then moved to the GT Coordinator position for 3 years. I spent one year as the ERZ (Education Renewal Zone Director) at UAFS, and I am starting my 4th year as the GT specialist and CPI trainer at Guy Fenter." In that time, in addition to her MAT, she has also acquired an M.S.E. in Gifted and Talented and Creative.

Karen says one of her favorite things about her job is that she gets to be a resource to not only the GT educators in her school districts but also to administrators and classroom teachers in providing differentiated learning experiences for all their students. The most challenging part of her job is that she cannot always provide teachers with answers to make situations easier and help their students achieve maximum growth as a learner. "There are often times so many precipitating factors that have to be addressed that a solution is almost impossible, and the best we can do is make a positive impact in some way." She says working in education is not the easiest career choice, but there are days that the rewards of working with students will blow you away. "You need to understand that teachers aren’t kidding when they say they modify and adjust…it happens daily. You need to have a passion for kids and lifelong learning. As you are pursuing a career in education get involved in organizations, have experiences, learn to collaborate with others, understand your own learning style, and be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses. Practice self-reflection and change."

During her time off, Karen has an abundance of hobbies, including baking, reading, running, and raising cutting horses. She also says she is passionate about traveling and seeing the world's natural wonders, stating, " I have six states left I haven’t visited yet. I have been to Spain, France, Italy, Mexico, and 14 Caribbean islands. I have climbed Mt. Vesuvius, walked through Pompei, sailed on one of the ships used in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie, walked 32,000 steps a day visiting New York City at Christmas time, been charged by a grizzly bear in East Glacier (twice in one day…they really are much more impressive in person than on TV), been within 10 feet of a pod of manatees as they swam by, had a private tour of the Audobon’s Center for Research of Endangered Species, climbed the 'rocky' stairs in Philadelphia with a broken ankle in a boot, and many other things." Still on her 'Bucket List' is to "visit New Zealand and hear a Red Stag roar in the wild."

? Q&A ! with Karen Grady

What is the best advice you have ever received?

“Everyone you meet knows something you don’t and has the potential to be a valuable resource in the future.” Networking has been an invaluable part of my life, allowing me some amazing opportunities, and the ability to provide ideas and resources to fellow educators and students.

What major changes have you seen in education during your career?

The understanding and implementation of differentiation in the regular classroom have grown immensely in recent years. This growth helps us meet students where they are and provide maximum growth for all.

Tell me about any awards or recognition you have received.

· My research article on “The Effects of Project Based Learning on Academic Achievement in the Seventh Grade Science Classroom” was published and I presented it at an international conference.

· I was selected as a 2017 NOAA Teacher at Sea - at that time I was the 3rd ever in the state of Arkansas. I sailed for 16 days on a longline survey of sharks and reef fish with NOAA scientists.

· I presented at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History on “Sharks in our Ocean” with NOAA scientists.

· My GT program at Lavaca was selected as Honorable Mention for the ACT 56 award for schools with 1000 students or less.

What is the most daring thing you’ve done?

· Jumped out of an airplane

· Sea Kayaked out of Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands to watch the sunset over Victoria, Canada, and then paddled back as the sun set….with the knowledge at any time a Killer Whale could appear as it was searching for food.

When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as someone who puts my faith in God at the center of everything. I would want to be remembered as someone who offered encouragement and support to others. I would want to be remembered as someone who makes mistakes, faces challenges, and uses those experiences to be a better person going forward.

What do you see as the biggest benefit of AAEA membership?

The steady stream of information that is provided to us that is both useful and relevant to my role as an educator and administrator.