NAME:
Mrs. Karen Powell
SCHOOL:
Prattville High School
CLASSES:
PreAP English, Honors 10th Grade English
SCHOOL PHONE:
334-365-8804
I have just completed my eighth year teaching a variety of courses in
English at Prattville High School. Prior to my teaching experience at PHS, I
taught seventh-grade English at Prattville Junior High School for seven
years. I began my teaching career at Prattville High School when I graduated
from college, teaching for one and one-half years; then I made the decision
to stay home to raise a family. I am married, and I have four children and
three grandchildren.
I graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery with a BS degree in
Secondary English with a major in English and a minor in Sociology. I
received my Master of Education degree from Auburn University at Montgomery
in 1996.
I consider myself a perpetual student of literature, always interested in
broadening my knowledge base of my subject matter, realizing that the more I
know, the more there is to know.
I find the teaching of English quite enjoyable and rewarding. I enjoy
exploring the art of writing as both an avenue for learning and as an avenue
for creative expression. Because literature reflects life, I find that the
study of literature allows students to peer, as if through a window, to
discover interesting nuances about the culture and the times in which the
literature was written.
I believe my calling in life is to teach high school students, and I
especially enjoy teaching English to high school students. What I find
particularly rewarding about teaching is watching students grow as
individuals and as students of literature and writing. I feel that I have
a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on students and, in turn, find
fulfillment and satisfaction in my chosen career.
I believe in challenging students to grow academically by exposing them to
learning situations that encourage them to master new skills and to advance
to higher levels of achievement. Therefore, I believe students should be
engaged in critical thinking activities daily to ensure this intellectual
growth. I believe that writing allows students to make important discoveries
about themselves and about the literature they are studying and should,
therefore, be an integral part of a solid English curriculum. The
development of writing skills is vital to each student's future success in
high school, college, and the work place, so I believe in placing a great
deal of emphasis on helping students develop organizational skills, improve
style, master mechanics, and apply standard rules of grammar to their
writing. I believe that students who take responsibility for their learning
by regularly attending to course requirements and assignments will be
successful and will ultimately find personal satisfaction in "a job well
done."
