The Mycenaean

A new year brings new teachers to Leesville — including Karen Harker of the English department.

Karen Harker, who started her third year of teaching, moved to Raleigh from Greenville, where she taught at Ayden-Grifton High School.

According to Harker, Leesville — she teaches Creative Writing and English IV — differs greatly from Ayden-Grifton.

“My students [at Leesville] seem to be much more prepared for their futures,” said Harker.

At Ayden-Grifton, the student population numbered around 700, which is less than Leesville’s freshmen class, and each one of them had to wear a uniform.

“It’s a huge difference in population,” said Harker.

Despite the difference in size, Harker seems to be settling in well. “I love Leesville — I kind of feel like I’m part of a family,” Harker said.

JC Zargo, sophomore, is in Harker’s Creative Writing class. “I really like Ms. Harker…. She’s nice and energetic,” said Zargo.

Kyra Doody, another sophomore, believes Harker makes Creative Writing a better experience. “[In class], I can write what I want without being judged,” said Doody.

Brad Hart, senior, who is taking Harker’s English IV class, said, “I look forward to going to class, because she’s just a fun teacher.”

Harker, when asked what she liked most about teaching English, said, “The thing I like most is when I get to teach somebody a piece of literature, and they really connect with it, and it becomes something that they personally just love.”

Harker is an avid Anglophile, even sporting England’s flag on her classroom wall. Her favorite author is William Shakespeare.

“She’s a really funny and young and really nice teacher,” said Hart.

“She’s a really awesome teacher,” said Doody.

Harker thinks her students are great, her students think she’s great, and the rest of Leesville is just getting to know her.