Teaching and Learning With Artie: Artie Karp Retires

Teaching and Learning With Artie A Lifelong Group Project

by Kate Engstrom

Unbeknownst to him at the time, Artie Karp’s days of stage managing in the world of opera were the perfect opening act for his 38 years in the classroom. Artie spent over a decade traveling across the country and in Europe, working with opera greats including Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo. But, in June of 1983, he was drawn back to his original dream of being a history teacher. His high school teacher, Mr. Donner, had inspired him and Lawrence Academy had a position that needed filling. Artie would soon discover just how well the intense and collaborative nature of work in a theater would translate to education.

During his tenure at LA, Artie taught AP government, U.S. history, 10th grade history, and several electives such as criminal justice and psychology. He also ran the Model UN program. But he considers the Ninth Grade Program (NGP), which started during the 1992-1993 school year, one of his most enriching experiences. He worked alongside three other teachers to present a unified 9th grade curriculum focused on skill-building rather than driven by content.

Prior to the start of the NGP, Artie and English teacher Terry Murbach team-taught a test class for 10th graders that dove deep into content as a vehicle for teaching writing, reading, speaking, and critical thinking. Despite all of the hard work it required to develop the NGP, he reflects, “It was, without a doubt, the most rewarding and meaningful experience on account of the way it made the team of teachers think deeply about how we were teaching, not what.”

In fact, Artie’s efforts for the NGP influenced his work in the History Department. His colleagues attribute a shift in philosophy to his leadership as department chair. During Artie’s tenure, the department moved from a survey orientation to a problems approach, asking students to develop their own interpretations using primary sources and discussing ideas with their peers in a seminar format. In Artie’s view, this type of teaching fits well within LA’s philosophy, as it is easy to adapt to students at any developmental level.

“Teaching is a relative thing, with no absolutes. You want kids to learn and to grow to the best of their ability, to think about what they are learning and figure out how they learn,” Artie comments. He always wanted to do what was in the best interest of the students, and to capitalize on their interests and help them grow and develop from their own starting points.

In Artie’s estimation, “Learning is not a solo activity — it is a group project.” Thus, it is no surprise that in reflecting on his long career, he sees his collaborative work as some of his best professional development. He became a better teacher because of the people around him – colleagues Terry Murbach, Becky Josephson, Denny Blodget, Jim Serach, Ned Mitchell, Mark Haman, John Curran, Mike Culley, Kevin Wiercinski, and many others. And Artie’s dedication, hard work, and sense of humor were an inspiration to his colleagues.

“Being in the History Office with Artie was like enrolling in a professional growth program, and it was always fun,” reflects fellow long-time LA history teacher John Curran. “No matter the time, Artie was already there, planning, grading, or ready to discuss the news, a school issue, a new article or book he had just read, or a complex constitutional issue.”

As Artie brings this performance to a close, he says, “If I have done anything, I hope I have given back to both students and faculty.” Indeed, he supported the growth of countless individuals in his educational circle — students and fellow teachers alike — as they figured out what they believed and sought after their own great performances.

In retirement, Artie plans to read a lot and listen to more opera, but he will also stay engaged with his community by volunteering, working with immigrants, and taking classes. Just as he has given voices to his students over many years, he will continue to inspire others to grow into who they want to be.

Artie teaching c. 1990