The good Cornellians can do: Karen Z. Buglass ’77

Karen Z. Buglass '77 spent the first half of her career working in strategic planning for a utility company. She helped organize the company’s first ‘Take Your Daughter to Work Day,’ which turned out to be a turning point in her own career. She found she loved interacting with the children and sharing their enthusiasm for learning.

From 2003 through 2015, Karen worked as a fourth-grade teacher. When she retired, Karen volunteered with a local non-profit, Empowering the Ages, in Rockville, Maryland. As a volunteer, she works with a pre-K Head Start student to foster kindergarten readiness.

Karen is currently working with a Spanish speaking student on letters and numbers, reading, and writing activities. She helped him write a story, draw illustrations, and compile them into a book. She “published” his book in both English and Spanish, complete with an about the author page.

She recently had the opportunity to meet this student face-to-face, after working with him virtually over Zoom.

“Although we’d known each other for less than 6 months, my student entered the room, ran directly to me, and threw his arms around me for a hug,” Karen says. “I knew at that moment we shared a true connection, and he saw me as an adult who cared about him and valued his time and interests. It is that kind of relationship that inspires self-confidence in a child alongside an enthusiasm for learning.”

Cornellians around the globe are sharing how they do good in communities big and small. Share your own story.