The education industry continues to be one of the most important in the country. Without the help of many dedicated individuals, communities would be unable to provide the education that kids and young adults need to thrive. One individual that has continued to dedicate her career to helping others learn and achieve their goals is Karen Swanson, who has worked in the education industry for more than 30 years.
Her Own Education
From an early age, Karen Swanson knew that she wanted to pursue a career in education, and she started down that path as soon as she left high school in 1985. After high school, she attended Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education. Her education did not stop there as she later attended the University of Phoenix to earn her Masters in Education with a focus on Administration. Later on, after working for more than 15 years, she went back to school at Iowa State University, where she is working towards a doctorate degree in educational leadership.
Career as a Counselor and Teacher
While she was still in college, Karen Swanson identified that she wanted to be able to work hand-in-hand with kids and young adults to help ensure that they got on a good track and path. For the first eight years of her career, she was both a counselor and a middle school teacher in the Scottsdale area.
After spending eight years in this school district and going back to further her own education, she eventually moved on and became a counselor and teacher for the Fairfield Community School District. In this role, she got to help students all over the state of Iowa better understand their possible educational paths and how to get into a college of their choice.
Promotion to Principals
Following a long period of success as a high school counselor and teacher, Karen Swanson eventually landed the role of middle school principal for another school district in Iowa. In this role, she was in charge of both the administrative side of the school as well as making sure that all of the students were able to see academic improvements. Her influence on the school and the students continued to be evidenced by the high marks that students received on various standardized tests.
Continuing to Give Back
Throughout the course of her career, Karen Swanson continued to ensure that she provided students with the resources they needed to succeed and achieve their goals. However, even when she was not working, she looked for ways to give back and support her community. She continued to be involved with several state-wide organizations in Iowa and Arizona that aimed to advance education for students throughout the states.
Receiving an excellent education is essential for everyone. One individual that has continued to focus her career on helping others achieve their academic and professional goals is Karen Swanson. She has had a long and successful career, including being a top counselor and middle school principal.
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