O'Meara, Karen: - nBorn and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, Karen earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Madison College, now James Madison University, in Harrisonburg, VA, and a Master of Education degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA.n n nn nDuring thirty-two years as an educator in Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Karen taught students in grades 4-7 for nineteen years, trained teachers and coordinated the New Teacher Mentor Program as a specialist in Central Office for eight years, and served as an elementary school assistant principal for five years prior to retirement. She is the proud recipient of Teacher of the Year awards for two schools, the 2003 Most Outstanding Graduate in the Regent University School of Education, the Virginia Beach City Public Schools 2012 Assistant Principal of the Year, and the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals' 2012 National Outstanding Assistant Principal for the Commonwealth of Virginia.n n nn nKaren resides in Virginia Beach with her husband of fifty years, Dennis, a retired 20-year US Naval Officer. They raised two wonderful and successful sons, Ryan and Sean.

Along with their lovely wives, they blessed them with five beautiful grandchildren: Kyla, Beckett, Kate, John, and Rowan. Karen enjoys all the fun things in life, including spending time with grandchildren, golfing, reading/writing, playing Mahjong, traveling, volunteering, and spending quality time with family and friends.n