For Karen, it was her special bond with children which kept the fire in her belly.

“When you look back to the beginning of a year from the end of one and see how much they’ve improved – that’s very rewarding,” she said.

“You build a real relationship with the kids, they become like a second family to you, because you get to know them so well, as well as the families.

“And my colleagues – our school, I think, is a beautiful school, a lovely place to work.”

Raised on a farm near Yerong Creek, in the Riverina, Karen boarded at Scots School Albury before relocating to Armidale for further study, majoring in history and English at the University of New England.

At uni from 1974 until 1977, Karen enjoyed a free education provided by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s government – a far cry from today’s hefty tertiary study fees. 

She then taught in Appin, just outside Sydney, before leaving for a year-long sabbatical in Europe.

Upon returning, Karen secured the gig at Lavi East in 1985, where she was remained ever since.

She taught in all year levels, from kindergarten to year 6.

Karen was involved in everything from sport to choir to talent shows - and also acted as a reading recovery teacher.

“You’ve got to be willing to work hard,” she said.

“But above all, you’ve got to like kids.

“You’ve got to enjoy teaching kids, you’ve got to enjoy getting down to their level and seeing them learn.

“If you don’t do that, then there’s no point in being a teacher.”

But Karen admitted, at times, it was hard managing everything in her roles at the school.

“There’s so many individuals in your class and they’ve all got individual needs,” she said.

“You want them to improve and to do the best they can, but it’s not always that straightforward and easy.”

Karen also had a message for families of students who may be struggling with the schooling system. “To not give up, to keep trying and be positive,” she said.

Lavington East Public School teacher Jodie Murray paid special tribute to her former colleague, who she said was already sorely missed.

“Karen is just a wonderful teacher, who all the students just absolutely love and adore,” she said.

“She just has a beautiful connection to the kids. The fact she’s able to teach right across the year levels – she’s just very accessible, always has time to give.

“She was always there.”