¡Hola!
¡Hola! My name is Karen Urrutia Polnitz (Señora UP) and I love teaching!
I was born in Oakland, CA and moved to Coarsegold, CA when I was 12. In 2007, I graduated from Yosemite High School and moved to Santa Barbara where I earned my B.A. with a double major in Spanish and Theater with a Playwriting emphasis and a minor in Education and Applied Psychology from UC Santa Barbara. After returning to the mountain area, I worked as part-owner of and teacher at a dance and theater studio and as a substitute teacher for grades K-12. When a position opened up at Minarets High School to teach Spanish, I was thrilled to be selected for the opportunity and enjoyed every minute of my 4.5 years there.
While at Minarets, I developed my teaching technique and established strong curriculum for Spanish levels 1-3. I helped launch and advise Spanish Club, Dance Club, GSA and held space for weekly Wellness Wednesday lunch gatherings. Fulfilling my passion for the performing arts, I taught Introduction to Professional Dance at Minarets, and assisted with choreography for Minarets Drama musical productions. I continue to fuel this passion with participation in community dance and theater events.
This year, I am excited to join the 2020/2021 teaching team at Edison High School! I will be teaching Spanish 1, Spanish 3 and Spanish 4 - Honors. I am proud to teach and serve students in the city where I live and look forward to joining the Tiger community!
I lives in Fresno, CA with my husband, Troy, our one year old son, Anthony and our three furry children, Angel Wangel the dog, and Joaquín Miguel and Eleanor Rigby the cats. I received my teaching credential from Fresno State University in 2017 and graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching in 2019.
I was born in Oakland, CA and moved to Coarsegold, CA when I was 12. In 2007, I graduated from Yosemite High School and moved to Santa Barbara where I earned my B.A. with a double major in Spanish and Theater with a Playwriting emphasis and a minor in Education and Applied Psychology from UC Santa Barbara. After returning to the mountain area, I worked as part-owner of and teacher at a dance and theater studio and as a substitute teacher for grades K-12. When a position opened up at Minarets High School to teach Spanish, I was thrilled to be selected for the opportunity and enjoyed every minute of my 4.5 years there.
While at Minarets, I developed my teaching technique and established strong curriculum for Spanish levels 1-3. I helped launch and advise Spanish Club, Dance Club, GSA and held space for weekly Wellness Wednesday lunch gatherings. Fulfilling my passion for the performing arts, I taught Introduction to Professional Dance at Minarets, and assisted with choreography for Minarets Drama musical productions. I continue to fuel this passion with participation in community dance and theater events.
This year, I am excited to join the 2020/2021 teaching team at Edison High School! I will be teaching Spanish 1, Spanish 3 and Spanish 4 - Honors. I am proud to teach and serve students in the city where I live and look forward to joining the Tiger community!
I lives in Fresno, CA with my husband, Troy, our one year old son, Anthony and our three furry children, Angel Wangel the dog, and Joaquín Miguel and Eleanor Rigby the cats. I received my teaching credential from Fresno State University in 2017 and graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching in 2019.
Spanish Teacher for Social Justice
I am a Spanish Teacher for Social Justice.
I believe that all students can learn and it is my goal to help each and every individual in my care reach high levels of achievement. I believe that students come to the classroom with unique identities, experiences and backgrounds. I believe in celebrating who my students are and in empowering them to use their voice to change the world.
I believe that all students can learn and it is my goal to help each and every individual in my care reach high levels of achievement. I believe that students come to the classroom with unique identities, experiences and backgrounds. I believe in celebrating who my students are and in empowering them to use their voice to change the world.
