Recently, Karen German was recognized by the State of Kansas for her 50 years of service to education. Yes, she has spent many years teaching and coaching with 40 of those years in Pleasanton. But, do not be fooled by her familiar black-and-white game shirt. Karen keeps active even when she’s not in the school building and teaching the children.

Karen was born and raised in Osawatomie with two brothers and two sisters. She attended elementary school at St. Philip Neri in Osawatomie. She recalls, "It was a two-room Catholic school house. The nuns from the Ursuline Academy in Paola would come to Osawatomie to teach us." She graduated from high school when she was 17 and headed directly to Emporia state. Karen earned her B.A. in Education in 1963 and was certified to teach business, physical education and health. Karen did not waste much time during her college years. In addition to her bachelor’s degree and three areas of education she also obtained minors in language arts, social studies and junior high science. Upon graduation she immediately began her job search.