Karen Hickman has a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education, both from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has been in the field of education for over 25 years, including teaching grades 4-6 in public school, operating an in-home preschool program for ten years and teaching as an adjunct professor for the University of Missouri-Columbia. Karen also has background experience as a Certified High/Scope Trainer and a Certified High/Scope Teacher. In 2003, the Central Missouri Association for the Education of Young Children honored Karen with the Outstanding Early Childhood Professional Award.