A college professor gave Holly Karhoff an impossible assignment: Describe yourself using only one word. Karhoff narrowed it to three: I dont know.
That assignment sparked a lifelong curiosity about identity and the ways in which young adults discover their unique personalities.
She wrote her college thesis on identity, using the Salem Witch Trials as an historical example. Today she writes young adult fiction that explores issues of identity and has published a novel, Spiralling.
Its a fascinating age group, she said of the teenage years. Youre trying to figure out who you are. But I dont know if Im much closer to it now than I was in college.
And at the age of 37, shes so much more than one word: Woman, wife, mother, writer, reader, world traveler, video game aficionado.
And now, teacher. Specifically, Karhoff is the new English teacher for freshmen and sophomores at Iola High School. She also teaches creative writing and is the adviser for a new Dungeons & Dragons club at the school.
THIS IS Karhoffs first year as a teacher. She followed her military husband, Sam, to South Korea, Texas and Kansas. The first of their two sons was born in South Korea; Sam is now 14, and younger son Patrick is 7. Both attend school in Iola.
Karhoff grew up in Oklahoma and began writing professionally at age 30.
The passion to teach grew from helping young writers as part of a writing group. She discovered a sense of fulfillment that came from sharing her love of English, grammar and writing.
Karhoff recently completed the last credits for her bachelors degree from Kansas State University. She joined the Transition to Teaching program through Fort Hays State University, which allows professionals with a bachelors degree to earn a masters degree while teaching in their area of expertise.
After just a few weeks at IHS, Karhoff has learned some surprising things about herself.
I didnt know I could get so attached to other peoples children, she said.
Shes been impressed with the students, especially their creativity and intelligence.
Theyre amazing kids. Theyre incredibly creative. I dont know if they believe me when I tell them that, but Im fortunate to have this group of kids.
When I give them an assignment, Im never disappointed, she said. I want to know what they think. I dont want to have my ideas regurgitated. And the things they come up with are really brilliant and creative.
Karhoff doesnt mind being challenged. For example, she debated with students as to whether the word community was abstract or concrete. She believed it was concrete: a community is a place, somewhere you can physically travel to and around.
