PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles teacher Karen Doran has been chosen as the Teacher of the Year Finalist for the region of Olympic and Kitsap counties.
The Roosevelt Elementary teacher now will have her application packet forwarded to the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction OSPI for consideration in the 2019 Washington State Teacher of the Year program. Doran represents Educational Service District 114.
For the past four years, Doran has taught grades five and six in the highly capable Ridge Program at Roosevelt Elementary in Port Angeles.
“Karen Doran is a ‘Master Teacher’ for students and staff, a lifelong learner with an unequaled compassion to see that every student reaches their potential,” said Assistant Superintendent Chuck Lisk, who hired her to her first teaching assignment when he was principal of Stevens Middle School.
“Students in Ms. Doran’s classes benefits from her instructional skills, love for education and ability to engage students in the learning process on a daily basis,” Lisk said.
She has a love for math and believes that every student can learn math at any level, said Patseene Dashiell, Port Angeles School District spokeswoman.
“As a result of her work she has helped create a building culture that is focused on respect and student success,” Dashiell said.
Doran said she feels it is important to give students time to develop their talents and find their passion.
“Teachers need to understand that we are teaching more than how to read, write, and do arithmetic,” Doran said. “We need to support students in their talent development while supporting their creative thinking and problem-solving skills.”
Said Roosevelt Elementary Principal Michelle Olsen: “We are so proud of her dedication, love of learning, leadership and hard work. We are excited to have Karen represent Roosevelt and the Port Angeles School District.”
Doran’s first teaching assignment in the Port Angeles School District was at Stevens Middle School as a reading interventionist. Prior to that, Doran taught at Olympic Christian School for five years. She is currently working on a Masters in elementary mathematics instruction and her National Board Certification.
