Karen Ford

Karen lives by the motto, “Life’s a journey,” a philosophy reflected in both her personal and professional path. Her experiences have taken her across ten U.S. states and internationally, shaping her global perspective and deep appreciation for diverse learning environments.

Throughout her career, she has taught across multiple states, holding licenses in each, including Punahou School on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, California with MUSE Global Schools and Poway Unified School District, Blue Valley School District in Kansas, Fairfax County School District in Virginia, and New Bern County School District in North Carolina. She also expanded her global perspective through a study abroad experience with the Department of Education in Okinawa, Japan, where she further developed her educational expertise.

A lifelong learner and dedicated educator, Karen earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Science in Education with a Specialization in Educational Technology from National University in California. She also holds a California Language Acquisition Development (CLAD) certification from the University of California, San Diego, and a Certificate from Berkeley, California, in The Science of Happiness. She is a member of the Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society for Educators.

Karen has expanded her impact beyond the classroom, serving as both a teacher and administrator, including her role as a School Improvement Specialist. In this capacity, she contributed to maintaining Blue Valley School District in Kansas within the top 5% of the Western Consortium of schools.

As a progressive educator, Karen’s expertise includes integrating Inquiry-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, Brain-Based Research, an open mindset, and Design Thinking into her practice. She is passionate about empowering students by encouraging giving, supporting sustainable action, nurturing individual passions, and helping learners discover their unique gifts.

In addition to her work in schools, Karen is the Director of Inside Out Education, where she extends her expertise.

Outside of her professional life, Karen enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, daughter, daughter’s husband, and her extended family. Her personal interests include motorcycling, scuba diving, jogging, and continually seeking new adventures that enrich her journey.

Join Karen as she inspires others to embrace their passions and create meaningful learning experiences.