Karen Stark
Position: Guided Studies and Special Education Teacher
School: St. Johnsbury Academy
School District: St. Johnsbury Academy
City, State: St. Johnsbury, VT
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I have had the opportunity to work closer with Karen in recent years in a shared office setting. Karen genuinely cares about the wellbeing of her students. This is easy to see in the way students continually come to her for support and guidance even long after they are part of her class. Karen is an educator who is selfless and never waivers in her willingness to go above and beyond for those around her and the community she is in. She creates an environment for students that encourages them to be the best version of themselves. Karen is truly an inspiration.
Karen Stark is the best of the best! She truly was a Life Changer for my daughter who transferred to SJA for 11th grade after we discovered she had dyslexia. Karen helped her find the tools she needed to regain her confidence and academic success. Furthermore, she was always warm and kind and provided my daughter with a lot of emotional support while she was getting adjusted. She still goes to Karen Stark when she needs advice or help. I am so appreciative of all the "extra" magic she brings to teaching.
Mrs. Stark is a kind and loving person. She has the skill set and patience to deal with challenging situations and help motivate children who need extra guidance. Not only is Mrs. Stark skilled at helping children academically, but she is also amazing at supporting students on an emotional level and helping with their mental health, redirecting them at times, and setting them up for a positive mindset.
My daughter is currently a junior and has the opportunity to work with Mrs. Stark on a daily basis. During our interview process, when deciding what school we would send her to, we met Mrs. Stark. She spent time with our family, answered questions, and demonstrated genuine caring, compassion and concern. You do not find this type of teacher with an amazing attitude everywhere. We saw what a wonderful personality Mrs. Stark has, and at that point, we knew this would be a good fit for our daughter. Mrs. Stark is most certainly part of the reason we chose St. Johnsbury Academy for her 11th and 12th grade. She was nervous as she entered a new school far away from home. Mrs. Stark was there to help point her in the right direction, teach her skills of organization and numerous other things that have set her up for success. Mrs. Stark is extremely patient yet holds her students accountable. I can say with confidence that because of Mrs. Stark, our daughter is on the path to success - she is happy, doing well academically, seeks Mrs. Stark out for guidance when needed, and sees Mrs. Stark as a mentor. Mrs. Stark has made an indelible mark on our daughter's life and our entire family! We are so grateful for her and want to thank her for everything she does from the bottom of our hearts. She is truly deserving of this recognition and we are honored to be a part of this nomination.
I have had the pleasure of working with Karen since she joined St Johnsbury Academy. She is one of the most genuine, hard-working and thoughtful people you could meet. She puts the needs of her students first and is an incredible advocate for them. She works tirelessly with colleagues to help us understand how to best serve the population of students she works with. She is a great advisor, teacher and person and I am so happy to have her as a colleague.
Karen is by far one of the kindest, most hard worker and giving people I know.
She changes lives every day and never gives up on people, provides you with everything you could ever need support, care, a hug, a smile, all around someone I’m so grateful I’ve gotten to have be apart of my life!
Best Advisor ever, she has supported me through so much
Everything seems brighter when Karen Stark is around you. Her dedication, patience, understanding and kindness for her students is truly inspiring. She is a superstar!
We are parents of a 17 year old son. He will be at SJA till 2024. He stayed then to 2 years and will graduate at SJA.
Mrs. Stark was a great support on all the academic issues and all social request for him. Mrs. Stark was high motivator for him. Her empathy and her knowledge is out standing to support young adults. She changed the view on learning for our son with a great success. Every school can be thankful to have teachers with this great mission and deep knowledge like Karen Stark. She is a truly life changer.
I've had the pleasure of working with Karen and seeing firsthand the energy and passion she puts into her job as an educator. She truly loves her job and her students, which is evident in the way she gets them to believe in themselves and shine, in and outside of the classroom. She makes everyone around her a better person and it's an honor and privilege to have her as a colleague and a friend.
Although I have never had Ms. Stark as a teacher, she has always been largely involved in our class, especially during spirit week. She always helps out, adds creativity to our ideas, and works to include others. I have always had great interactions with her, where she has treated me kindly and listens to me. She is one of the best people possible I could imagine for this award.
Karen shows tremendous care for her students. She actively seeks out the positive and finds ways to celebrate others' success. She is there for students at their best and worst moments. She takes the time to hear students and generate strategies that will lead to growth and improvement. She is one of the most creative educators I have ever worked with. She looks at a student's learning environment in so many different ways with different angles and approaches that leaves no doubt she has changed lives because she has been willing to do things differently for students.
As noted in many of the other comments, Karen is one of those people who truly embodies the spirit of our school. She is kind, compassionate and truly gets to know her students and advocates for them fiercely. I have seen the impacts that she has on her students and it is truly amazing. She believes in her students and that is so evident in her approach as an educator. I always appreciate any opportunity I have to collaborate with Karen. She has made such a huge difference in the lives of both her students and colleagues here at St. Johnsbury Academy. As others have shared, Karen is truly a life-changer at St. Johnsbury Academy.
Mrs. Stark is the best. My favorite teacher ever.
Karen is one of the most kind and compassionate people I have ever met. I first had the honor of working alongside her as a para in her classroom ten years ago. I remember thinking, wow, I would have given anything to have had this woman as my teacher when I was a kid. Her dedication, drive, and empathic understanding of her students is remarkable. She goes above and beyond to help others in any way she can. Undoubtedly, she has changed each student’s life that she has had in the classroom!
Karen is a truly gifted educator. She has a keen ability to meet our students exactly where they are and take them to the next level in a manner that is equal parts safe and challenging. Through her compassionate and understanding interactions with our students, there is no doubt that she has changed the trajectory of many, many students at SJA. Congratulations, Karen!
The amount of positive energy, gratitude, love and kindness Karen puts out into the world every day makes all of us better. Her gentle and creative approach to student challenges draws students into trusting connection, and helps them grow. She is one of the most hardworking--tireless, really--people I have ever encountered, and she does it all for her students and their families, with whom she partners always.
Karen changes lives by never giving up on any student she believes might be ready to learn something, even and especially tough lessons. She balances accountability with care and genuine education for students–instead of moving to exclude kids who are struggling from the community, her first instinct is always to move toward them, and to see if her help can make a difference. She has positively influenced the lives of hundreds of students in her career, and we’re proud to claim her as one of St. Johnsbury Academy's incredible life-changers.
Karen Stark is one of the most dedicated and hardworking faculty members at St. Johnsbury Academy. She is an advocate for each and every one of her students and has a seemingly endless capacity for kindness and encouragement. She works with students in our boarding program who are away from home and ensures they have the skills they need to be successful. She works tirelessly to communicate with families and colleagues in support of her students. Karen is also a talented artist and brings that creativity to her work. Every student is a blank canvas and Karen helps each one to create their own self-portrait. Karen is so very deserving of this award!
Although I've only known Karen for a short time, I believe this nomination is truly validated. From conversations that we have she goes above and beyond for her students. She works longs hours making sure they get the best education they possibly can. She is 110% devoted to her students and to her school. Her students are like family to her . I belive if she could she would take each and everyone home with her. Good luck Karen Stark.
When thinking of Karen the first thing that comes to mind is how passionate she is about each and everyone of her students. I had the privilege of being one of her students for three out of the four years of high school and to this day I can truly say she helped and saved me in so many ways. She always new just what to say on a bad day and sometimes she didn’t have to say anything at all, she had the ability to just make everything seem to melt away with just a soft smile and sit next to you with her arm around you. She has the pure talent of picking out books for her English classes that within the first sentence each and every student is sucked in and can’t wait for class the next day. She truly has the biggest heart for her students and will bend over backwards to do everything in her power to help them succeed. Not only did Karen help walk me through good and bad times during high school, she even took it a step further and was in attendance on my wedding day and has continued to watch me grow from a far. She is an outstanding person and a remarkable teacher that truly deserves this recognition.
As a young Syrian boy, who had to flee his country due to war and seek asylum in the USA. I had to leave my family once again because I received a full scholarship at St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont. It was a difficult time for me, especially because I didn’t speak any English. However, during this challenging period, I found solace in Mrs. Stark, who became my lifeline. Mrs. Stark was not just a teacher to me; she was a mentor, a friend, a therapist, an advisor, and above all, a wonderful person. She genuinely cared about each and every one of her students and always went above and beyond to ensure their well-being, both academically and personally. Her support and guidance were instrumental in changing my life for the better. Even after almost 5 years since graduating, I still find myself returning to the Academy, hoping to see Mrs. Stark. She is a constant reminder that I am capable of overcoming any challenges that come my way. I am forever grateful to Mrs. Stark for her unwavering support.
Thank you, Mrs. Stark.
Thank you Mrs.Stark
That’s true you’re a life changer you were always there for me and others for support in school and in real life, you had great advice and plans for your students. I was always happy and excited to go to your class and learn more. When I graduated from school and I had to leave the STJ, I felt that I was leaving a family. When left Mrs.Stark I had felt that I’m not just a teacher but I felt that I left a mother.
Always wish all the best Mrs.Stark.
Although I do not have daily interaction with Karen at school, I most certainly have daily interaction with students under her watchful eye. It is in observing their growing confidence and their enhanced abilities to navigate their every day with success that I understand the impact she has on our community. I know from former students who have graduated how they can depend upon her to be available to them even after graduation. That is service over and beyond the expectations of formal duties, and yet, surely demonstrates the sincerity and commitment of the service Karen lives and provides.
Karen is an amazing person who truly cares about her students and anyone around her. She is an inspiration to those who know her!
What a great validation for Karen Stark! She is the most caring involved teacher I have ever seen! Karen goes above and beyond to make all the students at SJA feel that they are important! She spends so much of her “free” time making sure the students and their families feel valued,safe and heard! On a more personal side, Karen has raised 3 of the most special kids of her own and hundreds of students that turn into wonderful young adults ! She is always there for them and they know it! Unfortunately, I’m my opinion, the times have changed drastically since I was a child, kids come to school not only to learn academics, but life skills and Karen it always there for them! Congratulations Karen, we are VERY proud of all you do!
Karen Stark embodies what it means to care for others. Teaching and working with teenagers, Karen encourages, advocates, emboldens and champions every single student with superhuman energy. Working with every possible learning ability, Karen is able to get each student to exceed their own expectations. Their success is deeply personal for Karen. Her students and alumni reciprocate this energy, fueling Karen even more.
To do what Karen does for her students far exceeds expectations within the Academy community, yet she somehow is able to bring the same energy and caring to the adults as well. Whether it be heartfelt notes, incredible poetry or simply a glance of knowing, Karen's generosity of spirit is an inspiration for all of us. I count myself fortunate to work with her every day.
Karen started tutoring my son a year ago. My son endured early childhood trauma and struggles daily with his academics. She has used her creativity, patience and compassion to support him in his learning and meeting him where he is at. We will be forever grateful to Karen for all she has done.
Karen works tirelessly to create warmth, community, and a safe space at our school, both for students and the faculty and staff. She reaches out to connect us together. I am a general education teacher, and I constantly hear from my students who work with her in Special Services that she changes their lives through her patience and kindness. I so appreciate the time she takes to write thoughtful, helpful notes to enable me to help those students even more, too.
Karen has been tutoring my son for about a year. He struggles in his everyday life with emotional trauma and his academics at school but Karen has played a huge part in his success. She is compassionate, patient and uses her creativity to support a child in their learning process. She has met my son where he is at when others were unable to and I will forever be grateful!
Karen greets everyone with the most warm, welcoming smile. It's truly remarkable how genuine, caring, and considerate she is to everyone she meets. She has touched the lives of many students at SJA and will continue to make positive change for many this upcoming semester and for years to come.
Karen is a life-changer for so many students! She has helped countless students be successful and reach their potential. She is always present and willing to help. She sits with them, listens to them, and encourages them. By some inner magic, she opens pathways and doors and coaxes them through times of struggle. They trust her and rely on her. She is always ready with a warm ear and an open heart. She is truly an invaluable asset to our academic community.
Karen embodies the very essence of the award, as a first-hand witness to the work she does with students on a daily basis. Karen is selfless, forever putting the needs of others ahead of her own, she spends countless hours creating learning plans to meet the needs of her students. Karen is always willing to go above and beyond to assist a student in finding the right path for learning in a way that makes the process both enjoyable and productive. She is a precious resource to other teachers with her vast knowledge of learning needs, disabilities, adaptations, and differentiated learning. Karen thrives on being a resource to others, solving problems, and addressing concerns, all out of her love of young people. Her creative touches, caring and compassionate nature, and depth of knowledge of technology and its capabilities to assist learners from vast backgrounds are amazing. Karen has a deep pool of patience with students under duress and is relentless in helping students find the best path forward, helping them become the most successful students they can become. She changes lives every day and has been doing so for years. Karen helps students reach their full potential and helps them discover they are more amazing than they ever thought possible because they no longer see educational success as having barriers, Karen opens up their world, taking them on a journey of self-fulfillment and developing an attitude and mantra of "I got this " instead of one of avoidance. Every student she encounters leaves her well-equipped for their educational future. Karen is a brilliant, compassionate skilled educator who provides a nurturing educational setting in every way imaginable. Her creativity and work ethic know no bounds. She is the consummate advocate, working relentlessly on behalf of her students.
I have had the pleasure of working with Karen for many years at SJA. She is kind, compassionate, understanding, patient, and always willing to go the extra mile for each of her students. She is the best kind of teacher and the teacher that all parents want their children to have. I have seen her change the lives of many young people in her program, opening their world in ways that other teachers haven't been able to. She teaches confidence, persistence, and resilience to each of her students. Her learning environment is warm, friendly, safe, and a place to go when everywhere else seems harsh. The energy, time, and love she puts into her work here at SJA reaches beyond expectations. We are blessed to have her, and we are better because of her.
My mom is the best teacher and person to walk this plant and Is well deserving of this award
When Karen became my husband’s colleague, she quickly became one of my dearest friends.
She also was one of my daughter’s teachers and her biggest champion. She continues to support our daughter after graduation, giving her guidance and the encouragement she needs.
My husband and I are dorm proctors to many of her students. The level of support and care she gives to these students goes above and beyond. These students often tell us Karen is their safe space at school, where they can be vulnerable and know they are cared about unconditionally. So many of her former students have told us that she changed the course of their lives.
Karen is a bright light in anyone’s life who is lucky to be a part of her life.
Karen is one of the kindest, most amazing people I know. She goes above and beyond for her students, her friends & her family. She is so deserving of this award & the recognition of just how wonderful she is!
I have thought Karen deserves this since she was student teaching in college! She radiates kindness and love to everyone and every furry being she comes in contact with!
Thank you, Karen, for everything you do for us!
Perhaps more than any teacher I have witnessed Karen makes a difference in the lives of her students. This perhaps best recognized by the daily communications from students who have previously graduated. Karen is constantly receiving gratitude from those students.
Karen deals with students who have disabilities…Often, those are social and emotional issues Karen’s classroom is often the only place these kids find sanctuary during the school day. You can watch the students walk in and it is like the weight of the world has been lifted off them. She provides a calm safe environment for all.
Throughout a typical school day, teachers stop in on a regular basis to watch Karen with her students and ask her about the best way to employ a certain strategies in their classrooms.
Karen never wavers from her commitment her students and teaching style. She often works well into the night both at school and home. I honestly don’t know of another teacher that puts in the time and effort to support her students.
To be a Life Changer, one must connect with a person not at their best and help that person come closer to their best self. Karen Stark is such a Life Changer because students who find themselves in a tough place academically or socially come to seek the guidance of Karen at a low point in their lives. Whether 30 seconds, a few minutes, or a few hours, the time with Karen results in a direct change of trajectory in that student. It was amazing to see this happen a couple of times over a decade ago when she first arrived at St. Johnsbury Academy. The opportunity to see if happen hundreds and hundreds of times over the years has not allowed the amazingness of her abilities to diminish.
When a Life Changer engages with those who are struggling to help direct them to a better place, it can be exhausting. In the case of Karen Stark, altruism appears to be an endless fuel for her to do the good that she does . And once a person who has been touched by her goes on their way, she remains a person that checks in and helps ensure they remain on the path towards great success.
I have had the pleasure of being a colleague of Karen Stark for many years, but have also been the mom to a student in her program. Karen is a teacher that every parent wants their child to have; she is kind, compassionate, understanding, and meets students where they are at in their academic lives. Karen works with students who have often struggled academically and feel they will never find success in the narrow scope of high school. Karen adjusts her approach with each student so they feel comfortable and can build a trustworthy relationship with each other. Karen has the ability to build confidence in students by showing them ways to overcome challenges and exhibit their true potential. She creates an non-judgmental environment where kids access the support they need to be successful. Karen is a tireless advocate for her students.
