Dr. Karen Owen

Originally from Baton Rouge, LA (and an LSU Tiger to the core!), Karen (KK) Owen earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Education of the Mentally Handicapped from LSU in Baton Rouge.  She has worked in the Escambia County School District as a special education teacher, assistant principal, principal of  three elementary schools, and most recently, Director of Professional Learning.  Along the way, Dr. Owen earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UWF. Dr. Owen has worked closely in recent years with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, the Florida Association of School Administrators, and other organizations on initiatives focused on teacher effectiveness, evidence-based evaluation systems, and teacher leadership.

Dr. Owen enjoys competitive running (especially 5K and 10K races), camping, and boating with her husband, Michael, and their boxer, Dexter.  She also travels to Louisiana often to visit her large, close-knit Louisiana family.