Faculty

Karen is the mother of three grown children and the founder and lead teacher at Body Basics and Beyond. As a public school teacher, Karen developed the first Body Basics class in 1994 in response to lackluster puberty education curriculum. In 1998, Karen started Body Basics and Beyond, and has since supported thousands of children and their families through puberty and adolescence in classes, parent education classes, coaching and retreats. Karen lives in beautiful Ashland, Oregon with her two dogs, Annie and Abbee.

Jane Higgins, is thrilled to be going into her 3rd year teaching for Body Basics. She also runs her own unique business as a developmental and educational consultant through Roots to Rise, where she holistically supports youth that have learning and behavioral disorders. She has a rich background as a teacher for three decades, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Ed. She has extensive experience with a variety of broad-based curriculum, including the gifted and talented, reading recovery, arts and music, math and science, compassionate communication, and outdoor education. Jane recently completed eight-years teaching at the Waldorf-inspired Madrone Trail School in the Rogue Valley, where she taught all subjects to the same group of students from first grade through eighth grade. This year, Jane will be teaching 7th and 8th grade for Body Basics and Beyond classes, which she considers one of the most valuable life inspiring classes for young teens. After seeing the difference it made for her young daughter, she knew she wanted to get on board  and teach this powerful body confident program. Jane is excited to meet her new students and welcome those that are returning. She knows the year ahead will be filled with sweet connections, discoveries and personal growth for  the students that she will serve through her programs.