For 40 years, Karen Webb didn’t just teach—she brought learning to life. Retiring in 2022 after four decades in education, mostly as a media specialist in Vigo County, Karen has always been a true Champion of Play. She understood early on that the secret to engaging students wasn't just in traditional textbooks; it was in making education a fun, hands-on and unforgettable experience.

Making Learning an Adventure 

As a media specialist, Karen transformed the library from a quiet reading room into a vibrant hub of creativity. Whether she was helping second graders create custom waterfall sound effects for a jungle story or guiding middle schoolers as they ran a daily live news broadcast, she found joy in sparking her students' imaginations. For Karen, it was all about blending the essential skills—reading, writing and math—with interactive multimedia projects that made kids excited to learn. 

"Any time you can add that reading and writing and audio to what you're doing, the kids just love it," Karen shares. "To me, any active involvement—that's what makes learning exciting for a kid." 

A Calling That Doesn't Retire 

For Karen, teaching was never just a job—it was a calling. Even in retirement, her dedication to her Indiana community hasn't missed a beat. She has served as the President of the Vigo County Retired Teachers Association and currently inspires as the Vice President of the Clay County chapter. 

Today, she heads up the innovative "I Voted" program, bringing a team of retired teachers into K-2 classrooms across the county. Together, they read Young Hoosier Picture Books to students and teach them the fundamentals of voting and civic duty, complete with secret ballots and voting booths. 

Deep Roots in the Hoosier State 

Through all of her incredible work, Karen’s love for Indiana shines brightly. Living in rural Clay County, she cherishes the natural beauty and the tight-knit community of the state she calls home. 

"It's just a beautiful place to live... the green grass and the pine trees across the road," she notes. "It's a good neighborhood, it's peaceful and the people are friendly." 

Supporting Our Hoosier Heroes 

When you play Hoosier Lottery games, you're helping support incredible Hoosier Heroes like Karen. Since 1989, the Hoosier Lottery has given back more than $8.1 billion to good causes across Indiana — including more than $1 billion to the Teachers' Retirement Fund that helps support retirements like Karen's. 

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Karen Webb—a true champion who continues to make Indiana stronger, smarter and a whole lot more fun!