As a teacher, Karen Koshgarian demands the best from her students. And in return, that's what she gives them.
The Mountain View High School art teacher was recently named to the "Who Who's Among American Teachers 1998," a list of outstanding educators that includes only 5 percent of the nation's teachers annually.
Teachers can only be nominated for this honor by a select number of students recognized for their outstanding academic achievement.
"I was floored and very excited," Koshgarian said about being named to the list, "especially since you never know how you are affecting others as a teacher."
Hilario Franco, a 1997 Mountain View High graduate who was enrolled in Koshgarian's drawing and commercial art classes, said he nominated Koshgarian because of her "loving spirit. No matter who the student was, she would do her utmost to assist them in whatever way she could. She would find students not interested in something and throw a different light on it to make it new and special." Franco said Koshgarian "peaked my interest" in commercial art.
After graduating from San Jose State University in 1967, Koshgarian began teaching at Awalt High School - the present site of Mountain View High - and has been there ever since.
Koshgarian has taught a wide spectrum of art classes from drawing and ceramics to jewelry making. In 1987, she was one of the first high school teachers in the area to bring computers into the art room with her R.O.P. commercial art/graphic design class. Koshgarian said she wanted to offer students a class that better related to the job market.
Koshgarian said she "landed in the right field. Teaching is very natural for me. I like the variety of kids that you meet, the interaction and the age group. It's interesting to see them express their personal values through art."
Koshgarian said she is "not a strict teacher, but I demand that my students stay focused. I never forget what it was like to be a student. I have a lot of patience and tolerance for differences. I know it takes time for students to get a handle on the learning process."
Madeline Lewek-Franco, Hilario's mother, said she has never seen a program like Koshgarian's in her 10 years as a substitute teacher.
"She keeps on top of what's new," Lewek-Franco said. "She's such a wonderful teacher, able to work with students of all levels to help them find their gift."