Preparing Future Generations of Educators
A Teachers and Friends of Education Honor Wall Featurette
Karen DeVoogd considers her name being engraved on the Teachers and Friends of Education Honor Wall to be one of the proudest moments of her career. This honor, gifted to her by colleagues in 2022, symbolizes her lasting impact at CalStateTEACH where she played a pivotal role in creating the curriculum that now prepares teachers across California.
Originally from Drumheller, Alberta, Canada, Karen’s passion for teaching was ignited from an early age while growing up in the small rural town. She pursued her education at The University of Calgary, where she was honored with a student teaching award during her undergraduate years. Karen’s fascination with human inquiry and development led her to Michigan State University, where she earned her B.A. in Elementary Education and M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction.
Throughout her life, Karen has always envisioned herself as a teacher, and she considers herself incredibly fortunate to have seen that dream become a reality. With the new perspective of being a grandparent, she remains curious about how individuals learn and grow. Karen attributes her success to the many wonderful teachers who have influenced her journey, particularly her lifelong mentor, Dr. Pam Lane-Garon.
Under Dr. Lane-Garon’s guidance, Karen assumed leadership of the Mediator Mentors program at Fresno State. As the coordinator and then director until 2016, Karen had the opportunity to support this project dedicated to training students to become peer mediators. Lane-Garon’s wisdom and guidance have had a profound impact on Karen, who embraces her mentor’s mantra of becoming a better version of oneself every day.
After retiring from her faculty position in 2022, Karen now works with the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative’s Domestic Harmonizer Program. Based in Long Beach, California, she focuses on education and supporting teachers, students and parents in understanding the importance of constructive conflict resolution and implementing this in the classroom.
Reflecting on her teaching philosophy, Karen believes that inspiring others to recognize their own brilliance is essential. She aims to hold up a mirror that reflects learners’ gifts and curiosities, guiding them to see the value they bring to the world. As a faculty instructor with the CalStateTEACH program at Fresno State from 1998 to 2022, Karen played a significant role in preparing future teachers for their careers.
As Karen continues her journey in education, she remains dedicated to working in schools and supporting future leaders who understand the power of peaceful practices and kindness. She believes in embodying Dr. Pam Lane-Garon’s message and sharing it with her peers and aspiring educators: “Remember, every day you have a chance to be a better version of yourself than you were yesterday.”
(Written by Audra Burwell, a Creative Writing MFA student employed by the Kremen School of Education and Human Development.)
The Teachers and Friends of Education Honor Wall showcases excellence in education with engraved names and messages for visitors of the campus to see. Celebrate your educational journey or that of a friend or colleague by ordering a personalized brick at TeacherHonorWall.com. Each brick purchase supports technology used by students.
For inquiries, visit the Office of the Dean in Kremen School, Room 210, call 559.278.0210 or email KremenSA@csufresno.edu.
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