Karen Norris is a passionate advocate for educational equality to ensure students with disabilities and minority status in order to receive services entitled to them. With a career dedicated to serving as a North Carolina Educator and an Instructional Coach and a School Administrator, Karen has served students and families in the public/private sector for 18 years. Currently, Karen works as a district coordinator with Appalachian GEAR UP initiative and Watauga County Schools providing college-going programming to students and families, academic support in schools, professional development for teachers and administrators in order to improve college access in rural Western North Carolina. Karen is eager to join the fellowship of EPFP to strengthen her advocacy skills for students in the GEAR UP program and is interested in learning how to extend her knowledge of educational policy. Karen holds a master’s degree from Gardner-Webb University in school administration-educational leadership, and a bachelor of science degree from Gardner-Webb University in health and human services-concentration in social work, and a North Carolina teaching license in special education.