[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4689]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING KAREN POPPEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 30, 2012

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor Karen 
Poppen, retiring Superintendent of Keyes Union School District, and to 
thank her for her leadership and dedication to the academic advancement 
of the Central Valley.
  Karen was born and raised in Merced, California, where she graduated 
from Merced High School and Merced College. She received a Bachelor of 
Arts in English at Whitworth College, now Whitworth University, in 
Spokane, Washington. After that, she began her career teaching English 
at Merced High School, where she taught from 1971 through 1974.
  Karen retired from teaching in 1974 to raise her two sons. During 
this time, she volunteered at Catherine Everett and Enslen Elementary 
Schools in the Modesto City School District and in the Yucaipa-Calimesa 
Joint Unified School District.
  In 1988, she returned to teaching and taught at Yucaipa Middle School 
and Park View Middle School until December of 1993. During this time, 
she received her master's degree and administrative credential. In 
January 1994, she became principal of Yucaipa Adult School and 
principal of Calimesa Elementary School in July of 1995.
  In 2001, she was moved to the District Office as Director of Data 
Analysis, Grants, and Public Relations.
  A year later, Karen moved to Beaumont Unified School District as 
Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services, where she 
worked for almost five years. In addition, she was an adjunct professor 
for CSU San Bernardino for five years. On July 1, 2007, Karen became 
Superintendent of Keyes Union School District and currently serves as a 
member of the Keyes Municipal Advisory Council.
  Karen married Daryl Poppen on July 1, 1972, and this summer they will 
celebrate their 40th anniversary.
  After retirement, Karen and her husband plan to do some short-term 
mission work overseas with Operation Mobilization, a worldwide ministry 
and relief organization working in 110 countries.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring and commending Karen Poppen, 
Superintendent for Keyes Union School District, for her numerous years 
of selfless service to the education of our community.

                          ____________________