Staff Spotlight: Señorita Moore

Ms. Karen Moore, or Rita as most know her, is this week’s Teacher of the Week. Rita is a foreign language teacher. She primarily teaches Spanish, but at times has taught French. Have you ever wondered where the name Rita came from? In 2001, a student of hers had the Spanish name Jenovavea. The nickname for Jenovavea is Jeno, which Rita often called her. However, Jenovavea hated it and decided to call Señorita Moore, Rita. Looks like that student’s plan backfired and Rita seems to enjoy the name.

She’s a Vermont native but moved to Maine in 1985, and has been teaching at KHS ever since. She taught for 10 years at Mill River Union High School in Vermont. That’s a grand total of 40 years of teaching. Yeah, you could say she knows what she’s doing. Rita knew in the second grade that she wanted to teach French. That was her plan until she went to college at UVM. She preferred their Spanish classes over their French classes, and eventually had a double major.

I asked Rita what kind of high school student she was and she replied saying, “I was a very good high school student; not superior, but top five or ten percent.  Math and science killed me! I didn’t really enjoy High School.” This is an accurate description of Rita. If you know anything about Rita you know that she has a bit of a problem counting in any language.

When asked her favorite class to teach, Rita replied, “I like the upper level classes and the older students.  They are the ones I’m best at and most comfortable with, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy my other classes, too.” She actually likes all of us, even if she makes the illusion that she “doesn’t”.

Rita has some hidden abilities as well. She likes fractals, wire-making, and polymer clay. You never know what hidden talents your teachers have until you ask.

I requested that Rita share one piece of advice that she wants to tell students before she leaves KHS, and her answer is truly sincere, “Find something you like to do, stick to it, and become the very best you can at it.  But also, don’t take life — and especially yourself — too seriously.  You’ll miss out on all the fun!” She has a lot of wisdom, as well as experiences and stories. I’m certain she will be willing to share.