GALLIPOLIS — Karen Wright, who recently retired as an educator in the Gallia County Local Schools, has been chosen the Education Hero of 2009 in the “Everyday Heroes” recognition program sponsored by the Gallia County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Wright will be honored at a recognition breakfast on June 18. Her award is sponsored by Gallipolis Career College.

Tne breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. at the Gallia County Senior Resource Center. Tickets are $10 apiece and are available from the local Red Cross office at 444 Second Ave., Gallipolis, phone 446-8555.

Wright has taught for 35 years in the local school system, and has dedicated her life to teaching our youth. Karen has been recognized in many ways for her teaching excellence. Her recognitions include an alumni award from her high school, Amherst Steele, in Amherst, Ohio.

Throughout her 35 years of teaching, Karen has touched the lives of countless students. Her lessons went beyond the classroom. She has counseled students on life lessons; from bringing fifth grade girls to her house for team building activities to stop the fighting, to taking students to the theatre or museum on her own time and money to allow them to experience something new.

She has gone above and beyond to encourage her students. Karen has always modified her teaching to inspire young minds. She has taught entire lessons from a novel to encourage reading. Her students started, marketed and operated a school supply store to learn about economics. For the past several years, she has worked the after school program, teaching activities such as cooking and crocheting in an attempt to expose students to experiences they might not otherwise have.

It is common practice for Karen to be in the classroom until 8 or 9 p.m. She has inspired countless students, counseled parents and advised new teachers. Her retirement will leave a void that will be difficult to fill.

Karen recently completed her career at River Valley Middle School.