Tim Mandell
Dr. Karen Frohoff has spent most of her life working with children with special needs.
At age 10, she served as a peer volunteer in her neighborhood, and since has continued to work with special needs children in some capacity, leading to her current job as the assistant superintendent of special services and director of special services for Madison County Schools.
“Children with disabilities and their families have shaped my life by teaching me to never give up, to never accept that something cannot be done, to celebrate each day and to see the abilities in each person,” Frohoff said. “Society makes someone disabled by putting up barriers or obstacles that prevent persons from being able to learn, to understand, see, hear, read, walk or talk in ways that meet their individual needs.”
In her current position, Frohoff said her primary job responsibility is to meet the individual needs of children with disabilities in the schools so they can maximize their abilities and opportunities.
She is also responsible for ensuring that the district meets all compliance standards for the state and federal government by providing information, professional development, and individual supports to administrators, teachers and staff.
“I believe it is my responsibility to support children, families and their teachers so they can receive an appropriate individualized education that maximizes their potential and their unique gifts and talents,” Frohoff said.
In high school, Frohoff served as a Special Olympics coach and while attending college, she worked as a summer day camp director.
After graduating from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor’s degree in general studies and a Master’s in Special Education/Elementary Education, Frohoff worked in Anaheim, Calif., as a special education teacher from 1981-1989 and as a special education administrator from 1990-93.
In 1993, Frohoff relocated to Lexington, working for Fayette County Schools, before being hired by Madison County Schools in 2005.
“My joy as a professional is seeing a child with a disability become independent by demonstrating a skill such as reading or completing a task without adult assistance,” Frohoff said. “We celebrate each small victory as well as the great successes such as passing a course, graduating from high school and getting their first job.”
Working for Madison County Schools, Frohoff works one-on-one with the special education staff members, teachers, therapists, principals, and paraeducators, as well as special needs students, who are eligible to attend school until they the age of 21.
“Our program not only focuses on academic and behavioral success in school but provides opportunities for post school outcomes for higher education, vocational training and independent living,” Frohoff said. “My hope for the future is to have all students with disabilities in Madison County reach their full potential and lead independent lives with the love and support of friends and families.”
When not working, Frohoff enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening, reading, relaxing at the beach and spending time in California with family members.
Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669 ext. 6696.
