Karen D. Herbert-Abbott ('79)

2‌015 College of Education Distinguished Alumna

With a career spanning 35 years in education, Karen Herbert-Abbott has served as teacher, administrator and principal, and presently holds the position of elementary principal‌ at Rutherford Winans Academy in Detroit. In that role, Karen has helped to create and monitor policies and practices that promote a safe learning environment, encourage open communication and mentor educators.

Karen has received many awards, including the Certificate of Outstanding Commitment awarded by the Detroit Board of Education (1995), Professional Growth Award by Teach for America, Spirit of Detroit Award and the 2014 Core Value: Respect & Humility Award for Teach for America. She has been recognized by Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program and earned a spot on the Outstanding American Teachers National Honor Roll.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Saginaw Valley State University and a master’s degree in education from Wayne State University. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the National Science Teachers Association and the Metro Detroit Reading Council. She resides in Southfield.