Meet Our Newest Educator Karen!
What was your childhood ambition?
To be a teacher or a librarian.
What book are you currently reading?
Bewilderment by Richard Powers. Next up is Go Tell the Bees That I am Gone by Diana Gabaldon…been saving that one until I have time to enjoy and savor it.
What was your favorite toy as a child?
I had a stuffed St. Bernard dog that I loved dearly.
What’s one of your funniest parenting or teaching moments?
It’s either being asked by students what dinosaurs were like when I was a child or who is my favorite super hero and then being informed that I am wrong about my choice.
What’s a fun fact about you?
My parents used to own an orchard and I have become very particular about apples, peaches, pears, and plums. I will only eat certain varieties at certain stages of ripeness.
How many years have you been with the Fun Van?
I am brand new and just starting!
What did you do before working at the Fun Van?
I taught first grade for 30 years in Michigan, then moved to Arizona and worked at the Apache Junction Library as a page for over a year before joining the Fun Van team.
How Did you hear about the Fun Van?
Two of the library supervisors separately came up to me on the same day to let me know about an opening.
What do you enjoy most about working at Fun Van?
I enjoy seeing children grow a love for reading.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Read, take walks with my dogs, travel when I can.
What advice do you have for parents?
Spend as much time as you can with your wee ones…they grow up so fast! They won’t always remember what you did, but they’ll remember that you cared and spent time with them.
What’s one of your favorite books or activities for your Fun Van families?
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff…I relate way too much with the mouse!