This week, we spoke with teacher Mrs. Karen Howell. In the building, she teaches math, finance, as well as learning support.

Q: If you could have only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: Do I have to be concerned about whether it’s healthy or not? Ice cream, chocolate chip cookie dough, if that were healthy. 

Q: What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited or traveled to?

A: Ireland, the western section.

Q: When you have a free night, what would you do?

A: When I was younger, I’d go play volleyball. But now, I would make a cup of tea and hang out with my dogs. Just snuggle with my dogs on the couch. My husband could be there too, but my dogs would be there. Actually, can I change that? I would rather spend time with my grandson.

Q: What is your favorite topic or lesson to teach?

A: I’ve taught more financial, like personal finance, type stuff. I like that. I mean, I like algebra, but I like kind of getting into the financial stuff, too. That was pretty interesting. I taught seniors last couple of years. So, yeah, some financial things.

Q: You could meet and talk to any person, dead or alive, who would it be?

A: Probably the Apostle Paul. Just to hear his stories.

Q: What was your first car?

My first car was my grandmother’s old Buick Skylark was light blue, and I wrecked it. You know, that was not really fun.

Q: If you could be a part of any Shaler Area team, club, or activity, what would it be?

A: Play volleyball. Not at my age, you know, but that’s not it. I mean, we had a bunch of different fellowship Christian athletes and stuff like that. And, you know, we’re just kind of waiting for leadership. I helped lead that with Mr. White in the past. If we could get it going again, that would be my preference– to do another fellowship of Christian athletics or something like that.

Q: What is your best concert you’ve been to or a dream concert you want to go to?

A: Best concert I ever saw. Was probably Diana Ross.

Q: What is your best student caught cheating or just best student “doing something stupid” story?

A: Yeah,  I had a student. We had a meeting planned with his parent. He cut school that day, his mom showed up at the school for the meeting, and he wasn’t here, and she was very, very upset. It’s not a good day for him.

Q: Do you have any irresponsible purchases that you’re willing to admit?

A: Probably. But I’m pretty cheap, so I don’t make too many of those irresponsible purchases.

Q: Do you have advice for your younger self? 

A: You know, not to be concerned what other people think. People whose opinion doesn’t really matter, don’t try to impress people.