I'm Karen.  I grew up along the MN river on the Judson Bottom Road on a beef cattle farm.  My mom taught in the Mankato School district for 32 years and my dad is still farming and taking care of close to 150 beef cattle.

Currently I live in Mankato with my husband Chris our three children; Nealyn (pronounced 'Naya-lyn') who's 9, our son Chris Jr. 'CJ' who's 6, and our youngest daughter Patricia 'Pixie' who's 4.

I also am a Just For Kix director in Waterville, MN. I teach high kick dance classes to children 18 months-12th grade. www.justforkix.com/danceclasses/waterville-mn

In my free time I love spending time with my family; watching my husband play slow pitch softball, playing sand volleyball and teaching dance.

I began my career working with adults with disabilities at various group homes in Mankato, MN. I then moved on to working with adults with disabilities at MRCI Worksource in Mankato where I looked for community employment opportunities for our clients.

• Undergraduate Degree in Sociology with Minor in Human Resource Management

• DCD Teaching Licensure

• ASD Non-Teaching Certificate

• Masters of Science Degree in Special Education

Previously taught in Mankato in a self-contained DCD classroom with students in K-5th Grade.