Karen Crites Grigsby was hired as Director of Curriculum in August 2012. Previously, Karen served as an Instructional Coach in South-Western City Schools for seven years during a time the district saw great gains in academic excellence. In 2012, Karen was recognized as Ohio finalist for the esteemed Presidential Award of Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The PAEMST awards are our nation's highest honors for math and science teaching, recognizing those teachers who develop and implement a high-quality instructional program that is informed by content knowledge and enhances student learning.
During her time in South-Western, she was recognized with multiple district level awards for her dedication and pursuit of high quality professional growth for all teachers. Prior to coaching, Karen was a 5th and 6th grade teacher for South-Western where she taught multiple subject areas in both gifted education clusters and special education inclusion settings. She also has significant background in working with English Language Learners.
Karen's educational experience began at Otterbein College where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations with multiple internships and experiences in Higher Education Administration. After realizing her true love of working with school-aged children, Karen earned an Elementary Education teaching license from Ohio University followed by a Master's of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton.
Later, Karen earned a Mathematics Specialist license from The Ohio State University where she engaged in doctoral-level studies in Math Education. Karen holds multiple licenses in both teaching and administration. Karen completed another degree in Gifted Education from Wright State University.
Karen is a graduate of Madison-Plains High School and a lifelong resident of the community. She has a long history with the district dating back to the early 1970s when her parents met while teaching in the Mt. Sterling building. Karen's mother is a graduate of The Plains High School and her father taught in MPLSD for 40 years. Karen resides in Range Township outside of Mt. Sterling with her youngest son who is a student at Madison-Plains. Karen's two older children are both proud alumni of MPHS. Karen is grateful for the opportunity to give back to an educational system and community that provided her with the foundation for a lifetime of learning.