Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Leadership Experiences
Timeline
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Karen Pierce

Nolan,TX

Summary

Dynamic Middle School Science Educator with a proven track record at Killeen ISD, excelling in inquiry-based teaching and fostering student engagement. Spearheaded innovative STEM projects and led a district champion Science UIL team, demonstrating strong organizational skills and a commitment to cultivating a growth mindset among students.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Middle School Science Educator

Killeen ISD
07.2020 - Current
  • Teach STEM Science to 8th grade students using phenomenon, inquiry-based lessons designed to enhance higher level thinking, encourage deeper engagement, and require students to develop solutions to everyday problems.
  • Develop innovative lesson plans integrating hands-on activities, project-based learning, and technology tools to engage students in STEM.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to design interdisciplinary STEM projects that connect classroom learning to real-world applications.
  • As department head, I oversee STEM and Science educators across all grade levels, fostering a cohesive team dedicated to integrating STEM concepts seamlessly throughout middle school.
  • Sponsor and coach science UIL district champion team. (2021 – 2024)

Elementary School Educator

Killeen ISD
08.2002 - 07.2020
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in education and enhance teaching skills.
  • Implemented assessment strategies that accurately measured student progress, guiding instruction and providing meaningful feedback.
  • Improved student comprehension by teaching a variety of hands on engaging lessons to 3rd through 5th grade students.
  • Collaborated with colleagues develop innovative lesson plans integrating all subjects with hands-on activities, project-based learning, and technology tools to engage students in STEM.
  • Coached Science Olympiad team. (2018-2020) – 2020 District Champions
  • Gifted and Talented Passion Project Coordinator, 4th and 5th grades (2015 – 2020)

Education

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR
06-2002

Skills

  • Inquiry-based teaching
  • Growth mindset
  • Organization
  • Student engagement

Accomplishments

  • Current Member of the Following STEM Programs:
  • Teacher Ambassador - Teacher Innovator Institute through the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
  • NASA Artemis Educator – Lift Off through NASA
  • Teacher Member and Presenter – Astronomical Society of the Pacific
  • Teacher Member and Presenter – National Science Teachers Association

Certification

Elementary Pre-K 3 - 8th grade (Oregon) 2002 - 2007


Elementary Self-Contained 1 - 8 (Texas) 2003 - Current


Science 4 -8 (Texas) Current

*TEA Recognized Teacher

Leadership Experiences

  • Inaugural member of the District Science Leadership team. (2022 – Present)
  • District Science Curriculum Writing committee (2023 – Present)
  • Science Department Lead Teacher (2020 – Present)
  • Member of the NMS Guiding Coalition focused on improving our campus PLCs (2024 – Present)
  • UIL Science team coach – The majority of my team members place each year at the district science UIL competition. (2020 – Present)
  • Head Coach of 7 & 8th grade Boys & Girls’ tennis teams. Teams consistently place in the top two at districts. Many players continue to play tennis in high school, building those programs. (2022 – Present)
  • Assistant Coach for 7 & 8th grade boys track (2025)
  • UIL NMS Theatre Director (2024)
  • Member of the Site Based Decision Making Committee for our campus (2018 – 2024)

Timeline

Middle School Science Educator

Killeen ISD
07.2020 - Current

Elementary School Educator

Killeen ISD
08.2002 - 07.2020

Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education

Western Oregon University

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Karen Pierce