Karen Key Robbins
Karen and her four siblings were raised by their mother in a small oil and steel community the foothills of Pennsylvania. Karen's prospects for going to college did not exist. It was never discussed or even imagined, she says.
It was Karen's husband, who she met and married once she came to Texas, who always asked her why she never went to college. She said, "People like me don't go to college."
But with her husband's support and encouragement, she did go. In 1991, Karen started classes at Richland College. She graduated with honors in 1993. She went on to the University of Texas Southwest Medical School gerontology program and earned a degree in 1995. Karen says her biggest challenge was being a middle-aged woman starting out in college.
With her background in dance and fitness and a degree in gerontology, Karen designed a fitness program for seniors that allows participants to remain seated. Karen perfected the chair exercise program with the Richland Silver Ducks, part of the Emeritus program. Karen served on the Emeritus board while she worked for a local retirement community.
In 2004, Karen returned to Richland to join the first co-hort in the Alternative Teacher Certification program. She was certified in special education and now is teaching 11th grade English at South Garland High School.
Karen uses her life experience and victory over obstacles to inspire her students to pursue education. She teaches that obstacles of any kind are just stepping stones. The difference, she says, is a person's determination.