For ten of these years she has also held a middle management role leading Art and Design departments and raising achievement. She is a textile design graduate who prior to teaching worked for Belford Prints and Georgina von Etzdorf as a print sampling manager. Her interest in surface qualities and process is evident in her own work as an artist; she developed a fusion of screen printed drawing and fused glass in work exhibited in North Devon. Her most recent work has been greatly influenced by collaboration with other art educators and by her role as a key facilitator in the ‘Thinking Expression Action’ project initiated by NSEAD, NADFAS and The Campaign for Drawing. This role has allowed Karen to foster ongoing links nationally with other educators in developing personal practice as self directed CPD.