PEARCY — Karma Turner, a computer science teacher for the Lake Hamilton School District, said the biggest impact she can make as a teacher is to make sure students know she believes in them and that she cares about their future.
“The next is that their future is bright with possibilities when they study the computer science field, even if they don’t carry it over to college,” Turner said.
Turner was recently named the Arkansas recipient of the Aspirations in Computing Educator of the Year Award from the National Center for Women and Information Technology.
“I’m very honored to receive this award,” Turner said. “I know there are many dedicated educators in Arkansas, and I’m proud to be chosen for this award.”
Turner has also been named one of the five finalists for the Arkansas Computer Science Educator of the Year by the Arkansas Department of Education. Turner received a $2,500 award from the Arkansas Department of Education Office of Computer Science after being named a finalist. The winner, which will be announced at a later date, will receive an additional $12,500 award, paid registration and travel expenses to the ADE 2019 Summit, and a $1,000 sponsorship to attend the Computer Science Teachers Association’s annual conference.
Other finalists include Carl Frank, a computer science teacher for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts in Hot Springs; Brenda Qualls, a computer science teacher at Bryant High School; Josefina Perez, a business and computer science teacher at Springdale High School; and Kimberly Raup, a computer science teacher at Conway High School.
“We had many well-deserving applicants; however, when the #CSforAR team carefully considered every application, the team unanimously agreed that these five educators demonstrate both a long-term and ongoing commitment to, passion for and impact on computer science education in Arkansas and the nation,” said Anthony Owen, state director of computer science education and chief state STEM officer. “These educators have earned and deserve this recognition.”
Turner has worked in the Lake Hamilton School District for 24 years. She taught mathematics for the first 21 years and computer science for the last three years.
She is originally from Hot Springs, graduating from Lakeside High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science mathematics from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. She has a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
“I think because I have a background in the STEM field, my students know I have experience they can draw on, and they have a resource who believes in their abilities and will help them move forward in a STEM career, if they chose to do so,” Turner said.
Shawn Higginbotham, associate superintendent for the Lake Hamilton School District, said few teachers exhibit a greater degree of enthusiasm for learning and professionalism than Turner.
“Her commitment to ensuring that her students master the subject is unsurpassed,” Higginbotham said. “I am not surprised that she is being considered as the state’s top computer science educator.
“Karma is very deserving of this distinguished award.”
Susan Drigglers, who teaches ninth-grade geometry and algebra, has known Turner for more than 20 years, having worked with her at the junior high school.
“She has the ability to help kids understand their potential, especially with girls,” Drigglers said. “They can be successful if they apply themselves, and Karma helps find girls opportunities wherever she can.
“She helps kids who may not be successful in other areas of school find success in coding class. They find out how much they really like it, and it becomes their thing and becomes what they like doing.”
Abby Reynolds, 17, a senior at Lake Hamilton, said she was drawn to Mrs. Turner’s class because coding and computer sciences have been a huge and evolving career path recently.
“I thought getting into a coding class would ultimately help me in the future, either in getting a job in this field or in another job I get,” Reynolds said. “I enjoy this class because it teaches me skills I feel are and will be important to me in the future.
“I think coding is very neat and interesting because you learn something new every day.”
Reynolds said Turner has been very encouraging and helpful to her when teaching computer science.
“She is an amazing teacher who is passionate about what she teaches and truly wants each and every one of her students to succeed,” Reynolds said. “She has helped me see the need for more girls in coding and how coding can be used in everyday life.”
“I think Mrs. Turner has a heart for every student, whether that student makes straight A’s or not,” Drigglers said. “She will go to bat for them. She is going to encourage all of her students. …
“… I have a girl in my class, and she’s not my best math student, but she loves coding.”
Sophomore Allison Thompson said Turner is her favorite teacher.
“I feel 100 percent comfortable to be myself and joke around with her,” Thompson said. “I cannot say that I have this strong of a relationship with any of my other teachers.”
Thompson said she feels more relaxed and open in computer science.
“Because of this class, I became close to many people I thought I never would,” Thompson said. “I love that I was able to learn things from this class that I could not learn from my other courses.”
Turner has been married to her husband, Stephen, for 19 years, and they have three children and two grandchildren. In her spare time, Turner said, she enjoys walking, hiking, boating and water-skiing.
“Some of my favorite moments as a teacher are those moments when students complete a task that they previously believed they couldn’t do,” Turner said. “The sense of accomplishment in their demeanor is beyond description.
“Those moments are the very best.”
Staff writer Sam Pierce can be reached at (501) 244-4314 or spierce@arkansasonline.com.