Karen Theobald Scholarship for Student Teachers

This scholarship honors the memory and legacy of Karen Theobald, an exceptional educator who deeply cared about education and her students. Karen Theobald was an elementary school teacher who treated her students like her own children. Over forty years, she ensured that her children knew they were loved and believed in. Even after her retirement from the classroom in 2009, she continued to teach and serve as a mentor for student teachers at Cal Lutheran University until 2022. Karen considered it her “give-back” job, dedicating her passion and time to support the success of her student-teachers.

Former students, some from decades earlier, would often stop her in stores or on the street to thank her for the impact she had on their lives. Karen’s commitment to education and her students left an enduring impression on everyone who knew her. The Karen Theobald Scholarship honors her memory and the impact she had on the lives of students, student teachers, and the education community.

This scholarship is intended for Graduate School of Education students in good academic standing who demonstrate financial need and commitment to teaching in an elementary school.