Washington Township High School counselor Mrs. Karin Carpenter has been selected as the 2019-2020 Educational Professional of the Year. Undoubtedly deserving of the award, Mrs. Carpenter is a valued member of the WTHS staff, and is a very hardworking and dedicated individual who is devoted to helping her students.

Mrs. Carpenter has had a myriad of teaching experiences. She began her teaching/coaching career in 1983, where her first job was a field hockey coach in Pennsbury School District. She also taught at Lenape High School, where she worked for a year as a Title 1 Assistant. Not long after, she was hired by Washington Township Schools as a Physical Education Teacher, where she also coached many sports. She also spent time in North Carolina, teaching for the Department of Defense School systems on Camp Lejeune. In 1992, she officially began her career as a school counselor at Washington Township High School.

From a very young age, Mrs. Carpenter was drawn to the idea of being an educator. As a kid, she often played “school” with her family and friends, where she always filled the role of teacher. She grew up in Philadelphia, which at the time was known for its schools going on strike. During one strike, Mrs. Carpenter held “school” in her driveway and taught other children. “I knew right from the get-go that I was going to be a teacher,” she said.

Her passion for teaching can clearly be seen in the way she talks about her job. When asked about what she enjoys about her job, Mrs. Carpenter expressed her love for interacting and helping her students.

“I love speaking to my students, having honest conversations with them, and helping them- whether it’s determining what life after high school looks like, working on personal issues within the family or within themselves, relationships….every day is different in this job, and every student is different. That’s very important to remember.”

Outside of school, Mrs. Carpenter loves to spend time with her family. She and her husband have six children (all of whom graduated from the Washington Township School District), a dog, and two granddaughters. She also enjoys staying active, whether by taking a walk, going to the gym (“I wish I could get there a little bit more regularly,” she says, chuckling), or going to the beach.

“I’m a very beach person,” she explains. “I do enjoy the mountains- I used to ski, but the ocean is tranquility to me.”

Receiving the award for Educational Professional of the Year was a pleasant surprise for Mrs. Carpenter.

“I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet,” she remarked.  “It’s something obviously every educator strives for. I’m very honored and appreciative to the Washington Township School District, Mr. Strout, Ms. Grimaldi, and my colleagues (my second family here). We all worked so hard and it was truly an honor.”

Preoccupied with a busy daily schedule, she still has not completely wrapped her head around the realization of her new title.

“I love what I do. And it wasn’t about the recognition, I am truly honored- but I truly love what I do,” Mrs. Carpenter replied. “I love being in this high school, I love the Washington Township School district, my own children went here, and- I just love it here.”