Kara Poulsen Receives State Recognition for Drama Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Nebo’s Kara Poulsen, drama teacher at Diamond Fork Junior, for being honored by Sorenson Legacy Awards for Excellence in Arts Education, as Secondary Drama Teacher of the Year Award for 2020. The Utah State Board of Education representative, Cathy Jensen, and Karen Tilley with the Beverley Taylor Sorenson programs, as well as Karen Kidd, the Nebo Fine Arts Specialist, surprised Kara Poulsen as she just finished her last drama production, Joseph and the Amazing Technocolor Dreamcoat.
Mrs. Poulsen taught at Diamond Fork Junior from day one–literally. She started the drama department in 1996. This drama program is one of the best junior high departments in the state.
“Becoming a teacher was something I always wanted to do. Being a teacher has been more than I ever expected,” stated Mrs. Kara Poulsen. “My students over the past 32 years have taught ME more than I ever taught them. Watching them struggle, work, and then achieve and succeed is pure joy. They are still my favorite people, from 1988 to 2020! Their stories feel like my story and I couldn't have written a better one.”
Some of the productions she produced most recently include the following:
Joseph and the Amazing Technocolor Dreamcoat 2008
Fiddler on the Roof 2011
Beauty and the Beast 2012
The Little Mermaid 2013
Aladdin 2015
Lion King 2016
Thoroughly Modern Millie 2017
Mulan 2018
Shrek 2019
Joseph and the Amazing Technocolor Dreamcoat 2021
Mrs. Poulsen’s drama students continuously place at the top in the state’s Shakespear competitions.
“Kara Poulsen is simply the best of the best. She is more than drama. She is art, dance, acting, lighting, costuming, music, set design, screenwriter, playwright, coach of adolescent novice budding thespians, therapist — she is a magician,” stated Principal Dr. Brenda Burr. “Her students adore her because they feel part of the magic. Her classes are bursting. Drama programs live and die by the drama teacher. She chooses junior high. High schools and theater companies have come calling, but Kara has found her calling — working with the awkward junior high age.”
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q9QcSWbLTw&feature=youtu.be
Congratulations Nebo Hero, Kara Poulsen!!!
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