Karen DeShong

State: Pennsylvania

”Karen is knowledgeable, upbeat, and practical and has a great sense of humor.” - R.B., Shippensburg, PA

PLS Courses I Teach:

• Teaching Through Learning Channels®
• Meaningful Activities to Generate Interesting Classrooms®
• Successful Teaching for Acceptance of Responsibility®
• Classroom Management: Orchestrating a Community of Learners®
• Achieving Student Outcomes Through Cooperative Learning®

Year started with PLS: 1983

Why I love teaching PLS courses: I love these courses because they are research based, the strategies work, and they are PRACTICAL.

Education:
B.S. Lock Haven University
M. Ed. Shippensburg (English)
M. Ed. Shippensburg University (Special Education)

Teaching Experience: I have taught English grades 7 to 12, Special Education 9 to 12, Special Education Resource Room grades 9 to 12 for students who had an individual program and were identifies as emotional support, learning support, or English as a Second Language.

Related experience, recognition, awards, etc.: I was the director of high school musicals for 25 years, former president of the local education association, certified Reiki master, and in listed in “Who’s Who of American Teachers” in 2000 and 2004.

What I love most about teaching: I am a curious, lifelong learner. I have over 35 years in the trenches (but I am not old!), and I learn something new everyday. I love the people (not the endless paperwork!) and I love how PLS strategies really work in the classroom.

My favorite moment in teaching: I once received a lovely thank you note from a very difficult student and his appreciative parents. I love the “Aha!” moment for a student.

Personal information: I am a reader and a traveler. As I proceed on my personal spiritual journey, I am currently immersed in the writings of Marianne Williamson, Carolyn Myss, Wayne Dyer, and the transcendentalists. I also enjoy my extended family, Maxine cartoons, journaling, photography, and my three cats. As a traveler in 2006, I visited states on the east coast plus Michigan, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. I also spent two weeks in Egypt.