Juffrou Karen grew up in the Eastern Cape at the foot of the picturesque Prentjiesberge in Ugie. As a farm child, problem-solving was part of her daily routine and responsibilities, especially on a farm near the Transkei border, far from town. From a young age, the wonders of nature and how things work sparked Juffrou Karen’s innate curiosity.

Juffrou Karen is a passionate Physical and Natural Sciences teacher who strives to help every learner in her classroom reach their full potential. She taught for five years at Grey College Secondary in Bloemfontein before accepting a departmental position at St. Michael’s School for Girls. At the end of 2020, she resigned from teaching to complete her PhD but remained involved by substituting at Eunice High School in Bloemfontein during 2021 and 2022. Since 2021 she has also been involved in the Monyetla Bursary Project, where she teaches Grade 12 Physical Sciences classes on Saturdays at the University of the Free State’s South Campus.

At the beginning of 2021, Juffrou Karen received a certificate from the Free State Department of Basic Education for securing second place in the Motheo district for “Best Performance in Physical Sciences in the 2020 NSS exam for Quintile 4-5 schools.” She also kicked off 2023 with an award from the Free State Department of Basic Education, where she and a colleague were recognized as one of the Top 10 Physical Sciences teachers in the Free State, based on the 2022 NSS results.

Juffrou Karen is looking forward to working with you and sharpening your skills in Physical Sciences!