Karen D. Lyerla, M.S.

Karen Lyerla

 

Affiliations: 

  • Retired Department Chairperson of Special Services, Lawrence High School, Lawrence, KS

Background and Interests:

I am the first woman in my dad’s or mother’s family to receive both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and I’m deeply proud to represent my Lyerla and Cromer families in this endeavor. I once thought I would like to become a foreign diplomat. Realizing that mastery of a foreign language would be required for this career, I started learning two languages. However, foreign languages and I did not get along. Next, I aspired to become a high school social studies teacher, but my interviewers seemed much more interested in my coaching abilities—which were few and none. Undaunted, I continued to pursue a career in education becoming one of, if not the first, secondary teacher in the master’s program in learning disabilities at the University of Kansas. Dr. Gordon Alley was my deeply treasured advisor and mentor. With his enthusiasm and dedication, he soon injected me wholeheartedly with his educational dreams of a future involving successful young adults with learning disabilities. I never looked back. Even though I have retired after 35 years of teaching at-risk youths, I continue to promote Dr. Alley’s and my dreams for all young adults.

My interests entail a broad spectrum of hobbies and activities. These include a tremendous love of reading, especially trash flash romance and science fiction novels. I also keep up on reading about royalty around the world. I play tennis, swim, and work out with Pilates several times weekly. I adore travel and have been known to bicycle England and Scotland, scooter through Europe, relax in Kauai and Oahu, ski all over the U.S. and Europe, explore the United States, and discover much of Alaska. I love music and dancing. Having chaired my high school’s 40th class reunion, I also helped to cultivate our next class extravaganza, “66ers turn 60” woodsy and our upcoming 45th class reunion. Currently, I support my two great-nieces and my great-nephew in many of their activities at Mill Valley High school, a part of the De Soto School District. Recently. I received my own “Mill Valley Proud Auntie” stadium seat.