Collins, Karen

By Adedeji Ogunfolu

Subjects: Computer Graphics, 3D graphics,
Software Design, Advanced Applications
Education: B.A. from Radford University,
M.A. from John Hopkins University
Came to Blair in: 1992
Previous Jobs: Worked in Computer Industry,
Taught middle school math

After eight years of teaching at Blair High, this teacher never gets bored.
There are always some teachers that don't have the will to teach as they used to. However, every now and then there is a teacher that really exemplifies the definition of dedication and interest in the field of teaching.

A native of Pocahontas Virginia, Karen Collins enjoyed math classes and played in the school band during her youth. She sees many differences between her generation and more recent generations in America. "The language that I hear in the halls today never happened when I was growing up, and the dress was a lot more conservative."

Collins is very devoted to her profession and enjoys teaching her gifted students. "It's really fun working with kids here," said Collins. She also said that her job is one of the most fulfilling parts of her life.

Since Collins teaches magnet electives such as advanced application and software design, she says that she teaches students who are very quick and on the ball. "The hard part about my job is staying a half step ahead of the students." She said.

Before coming to teach at Blair, Collins worked as a programmer in the computer industry. She did not like the stress of coding computers. "The hardest part about that job was the deadlines," she said with a sigh. "It was really stressful."

To get away from the stresses of her job, she came to teaching. She found many rewards in teaching and gets satisfaction out of teaching students the more advanced side of the computer. "It's so exciting to see the kids thinking and getting things to work," she said.

In addition to teaching, Ms. Collins is heavily into cajun and country music. She plays in two bands called Squeezed Bayou, and the Blue Moon Cow Girls. Collins has played many gigs on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage with both bands and she loves the spotlight. " It certainly is exciting," she said.

Besides teaching and music, she loves to go to Louisiana. "It's one of my favorite places to go because of the food, the music and the people," she said. Collins is also a big fan of Mardi gras.

Collins is a devoted mother who also got into teaching for her children. " I liked the fact that I got time off at the same time that they did. We got to see a lot more of each other."