KHS FIRE ACADEMY

Mrs. Gardner was born in Lakeland, Florida and graduated from Lakeland High School.  She attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and received a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry.  After graduation, she was accepted into the University of Michigan Medical School (PHD-MD) program. She was in the program for two and a half years and decided to take a year off from school. According to Mrs. Gardner, this was a major mistake in her life because she did not return to the program. She then spent 15 years in genetic research at the University of Michigan Research Institute and had 3 publications.  Her family moved back to Lakeland, Florida in 1996.  She spent 3 years with the Florida Department of Children and Families in their sexual abuse department.  One of her students in Sunday school challenged her to go into Education. She accepted the challenge and has never looked back.  Due to her medical training, she also teaches adult students in the evening Medical Terminology, Medical Office Procedures, Medical Billing & Coding I and II, and Certified Nursing Assistants classes.

     Mrs. Gardner is married to a dedicated and loving husband.  Their oldest daughter will graduate from college in May 2010 and pursue a graduate degree in Criminal Justice.  Their other daughter is a junior at Kathleen High School.

Mr. Karns
Math

     Mr. Jeffrey Dean Karns is a pastor of Lakeland Grace Brethren Church on Lunn Road in Lakeland Florida.  He has been married for 31 years and they have three children. Their daughter Erin Renee Pieree, 29 has her MBA and lives in St. Pete. Their son-in-law Carlos Pierre, 30 has his MBA also. Their son J. Dean Karns, Jr., has an MA in Finance and lives in Dallas Texas. Their second son, Brandon Scott Karns has an MS in Genomics/Molecular Genetics and lives in S. Korea.
     Mr. Karns has coached and taught school for over 30 years. He has a BS in Physical Education for Grace College. He is certified in Secondary PE, ESE K-12, Middle Grades Math, Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum, Elementary K-6, and Driver Education.
     This is Mr. Karns’ third year at KHS. He was at LGHS for 10 years and 11 years at LCS.