Karen Fixsal, Career Tech Culinary Arts and Cultural Foods instructor at Washington High School, has been named the School District of Washington’s recipient of the 2022 Emerson Electric Excellence in Teaching Award.
The Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards program annually recognizes more than 100 educators in the St. Louis metropolitan area – from kindergarten teachers to college professors – who are examples of excellence in their field. Now in its 33rd year, it is one of the St. Louis region’s most recognized teacher recognition programs. Emerson is proud to sponsor this program as a way of helping the St. Louis community express our collective admiration and gratitude for your dedication to teaching our area’s students.
Recipients are selected by the chief administrators of their school districts or educational institutions. The employing educational institution must be located in the St. Louis metropolitan area, which is defined to include: (in Missouri) Franklin County, Jefferson County, St. Charles County, St. Louis City, St. Louis County; and (in Illinois) Jersey County, Madison County, Monroe County, and St. Clair County.
Fixsal, who also is the Consumer Sciences Department Head at WHS, has been with the School District of Washington for 23 years.
“Winning this award is honestly a little surreal and humbling. I am quite honored as there are so many worthy. I have some amazing co-workers and students that definitely encourage and inspire me to do what I love,” Fixsal said. “Anytime I tell people outside of education what I do, they find it so cool. Honestly, I do too. Getting to share my passion with others is what it's all about. I’m thankful the School District of Washington supports such programs allowing students to explore and grow. I truly love being a Blue Jay.”
Karen and her husband, Jim, have been married for 18 years. Her son, Kyle Johnson, and his wife Lindsay, live in Kansas City with their four-year-old daughter Charlie and one-year old son Calvin. Her daughter, Carly Gillig, and her husband Logan, live in Washington with their one-year-old son Carson.
The last five Emerson Electric Excellence in Teaching Award recipients from the School District of Washington have been Four Rivers Career Center’s Melissa Ziegler in 2021, Washington Middle School’s Valerie Jankowski in 2020, Washington High School’s Tim Branson in 2019, Augusta Elementary’s Amy Brinkmann in 2018, and Washington Middle School’s Stefanie Virgen in 2017.
Emerson Electric Excellence in Teaching Award
Karen Fixsal, the School District of Washington's 2022 recipient of the Emerson Electric Excellence in Teaching Award
Emerson Electric Excellence in Teaching Award
Karen Fixsal, left, Career Tech Culinary Arts and Cultural Foods instructor at Washington High School, was named the School District of Washington’s recipient of the 2022 Emerson Electric Excellence in Teaching Award. Also pictured is Washington High School Principal Dr. Kelle McCallum.