Karen Pennington

I’m thrilled to be teaching 5th and 6th grade E.L.A.R. (English/Language Arts/Reading) and history at Buckner Fanning. Being able to combine my 29 years of public-school experience with the opportunity to teach and encourage Christian values is a true blessing.

As an avid reader, I hope to instill a love of reading in my students. We can gain empathy and learn lessons from the books that we read. I look forward to conversations about the mistakes characters make and how they change and grow from them. Also, I hope to hear students make connections to Christian values and how they apply these lessons to their own lives.

George Santayana’s famous quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” emphasizes the importance of learning from history. I’m excited to relate how ancient civilizations and other historical events have influenced our lives today and discuss lessons we can apply to our lives today.

Building a positive rapport with my students and their families is always one of my goals. An encouraging, trusting relationship is an important part of a student’s academic success. I’m excited for a new chapter teaching at Buckner Fanning School at Mission Springs! It’s a pleasure to teach in such a picturesque environment while guiding our students both academically and spiritually!

Philippians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”