As an educator and community volunteer, Ms. Karen M. Cullen has directly impacted the lives of thousands of people throughout the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. The longtime Glendora resident says her devotion to helping others and desire to give back were partly influenced by her experiences as a college student. "Citrus College was instrumental in pointing me in the right direction as a young adult, providing me with a fulfilling life of service to others," she said.
When Ms. Cullen was preparing to begin her pursuit of higher education in the early 1960s, she considered Citrus College to be the logical first step on her journey. "I have always felt very connected to this great place of higher learning," she said. This connection was strengthened once Ms. Cullen enrolled.
During her time at Citrus College, she was an active member of the student body. In addition to attending athletic events and working part-time in the admissions office, she also served as a song leader, was the commissioner of public relations and was involved in the music department. Ms. Cullen says this time at Citrus College helped shape her professional and personal future.
She graduated in 1964 and transferred to the University of La Verne (formerly La Verne College). Because of the positive influence of her Citrus College instructors, she decided to pursue a career in teaching.
After graduating with her bachelor's degree in 1967, Ms. Cullen earned her California teaching credential. She obtained her first position in January 1968, when she was hired on a temporary basis to teach at Roosevelt School in Glendora. "My classroom was the same one in which I was a student in 1951," she said. Over the next 34 years, Ms. Cullen taught kindergarten through sixth grades at a variety of elementary schools throughout the country. This included teaching third grade in Connecticut, kindergarten in Florida and all grades in Glendora. She also taught youth orchestra in Citrus College's Lifelong Learning Center for 17 years as well as music appreciation classes at various rehabilitation centers throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
Although Ms. Cullen retired in 2001, her schedule has remained filled with a variety of service activities. A member of the Glendora First Christian Church, she has voluntarily held the position of trustee, elder, board chair and secretary. She has also taught Sunday and bible school and served as choir director and accompanist. Ms. Cullen is active with the Glendora Historical Society, she serves on the board of directors for Rubel Castle and she has been an educator and coordinator for the Fine Arts Academy in Glendora. Through her involvement with the Fine Arts Academy, she has played a leadership role in the community's annual Empty Bowls event which has raised more than $70,000 to combat local hunger.
In her spare time, Ms. Cullen maintains her relationship with Citrus College by attending meetings of the Citrus Alumni and Friends Association. Her affinity with Glendora and its community college is not surprising. Having settled in the area during the late 1800s, her family played a prominent role in Glendora's early history. In fact, her great-grandfather, William B. Cullen II, was a member of the Citrus Union High School Board of Trustees. "I have always known that my family's connection to this community and the education I received at Citrus College have been instrumental in my life," Ms. Cullen said. "Any success I might have gained is not measured by money or notoriety, but by touching the lives of others in a positive way."
Ms. Cullen's story was originally featured in the program for the 102nd Citrus College Commencement.