Faulkner College of Education graduate, Karen Pirtle is making a difference in her classroom and her efforts have not gone unnoticed as she has been named Teacher of Year not once, not twice, but four times.
She has been an educator for 33 years with the majority of her years spent teaching kindergarten. She was named Alabama Christian Academy Teacher of the Year in 1993, East Lawrence Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2013 and 2020, and Lawrence County Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2013.
Pirtle graduated from Faulkner University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. Later she furthered her education at the University of North Alabama with a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education.
She was honored as Faulkner’s Distinguished Alumna for the College of Education during the annual Marketplace Faith Friday Forums in 2024. Although she has experienced more than her share of unexpected twists, turns, and detours in her life, Pirtle has chosen joy and willingly shares her stories to show God’s providence at work in her life. It’s her work as a teacher that brings her some of her most joy-filled moments.
“Each day I see lights flicker and shine as students are beginning to read, make life connections with what we are practicing in our classroom each day, and gaining independence,” Pirtle said. “Our phenomenal group of kindergarten teachers work well together to help plan and make learning meaningful for our students. The poverty rate in our area has increased over the years, so classroom activities are often the first time a student experiences something.”
Pirtle currently works as a kindergarten teacher at East Lawrence Elementary School in Lawrence County, Alabama.
However, it was her time studying at Faulkner that prepared her for such a role and also holds a special place in her heart.
“I made many friends during my time at Faulkner University,” Pirtle said. “I was active in social clubs, chorus, Encore!, and theater. Being involved in these areas helped me gain confidence, leadership skills, and independence. My education at Faulkner gave me a good foundation in which to build my educational knowledge. I have fond memories of the education students working together, sharing ideas, and learning from one another.
“While at Faulkner, the main professors and teachers that I had were Dan and Joy Lucas, Sue Crabtree, Wendell Winkler, and Kenneth Randolph. Sometimes the class workload combined with musical travel group tour schedules could be hectic, but they were willing to work with the students to help us be our best,” she added.
Pirtle is an active member of Midway church of Christ in Trinity, Alabama. She teaches Bible classes and is involved in the ladies’ ministry where she leads ladies’ classes, coordinates their annual Ladies Day, and organizes retreats. She recently married longtime family friend, Casey Pirtle and is the mother of three grown children; Brittany, April, and Sawyer, bonus mom to Hillary, grandmother to seven, and great-grandmother to two. She enjoys gardening, flower arranging, thrifting and finding good bargains, as well as spending time with friends and family.
