Karen Cipolla

My name is Dr. Cipolla, I have been a chiropractor for 20 years but gave up practice many years ago due to health reasons. I began my teaching career at Fairfield University teaching Anatomy and Physiology part-time. I also spent many years home with my children who are now in college themselves. My youngest is in high school, and now is the time for me to focus on teaching again. I have been teaching at ASU West for 3 years. Before that, I spent 2 years teaching middle school science and math, and though I enjoy teaching that age group, they have their challenges. 

Knowledge gives us strength and power. It is a tool to be nurtured and grown in students. It is something that should be accessible to all. Every student is a unique individual with unique challenges. These differences are what give the classroom its beauty, it is also what makes the journey of education so interesting. I seek to be a partner in this journey assisting students in the process of discovery and learning. I believe that education is more than just filling a cup of knowledge, but it is a process that encompasses gaining knowledge as well as the formation of a person. Education should challenge students to be their best selves as well as increase their knowledge of the world. It is not my goal to dump facts and information onto a student to sort out in order to learn but to guide a student to discover their strengths and weaknesses, to solidify their process of learning, and to assist them in asking the questions that will help them to continue that process throughout their lives. Through the use of classroom conversations, questioning, case studies, and experiences I seek to be a guide and partner in my student’s journey. To do this I utilize respect, care, accountability, and kindness and I expect to receive the same in return.