Champaign City Councilwoman Karen Foster is the mother of two and the grandmother of two. Born and raised in Champaign, Karen graduated from Eastern Illinois University and she began her teaching career began in the Champaign Unit 4 system. She has spent the majority of her career teaching preschool and serving in administrative roles in local early childhood institutions.
Karen was the director of the now-defunct Champaign County Nursing Home Childcare Center, and its closure in May 2006 sparked her interest in politics. She launched a successful campaign for the Champaign City Council, and has been serving in an at-large seat since May 2007. She already plans to run for re-election in 2011, and she continues to teach preschool.
See why we think Karen Foster is a Chambana mom to know.
Q: What is the most important thing parents should consider when looking for childcare in C-U?
A: In my opinion, parents should look for childcare that most matches their child-rearing philosophies. When a child is left in the care of another person, the parent should feel comfortable with the person(s) caring for and teaching her child. There are many different philosophies out there, and it takes diligence on the parents’ part to find just the right one. Interviewing the director and observing classrooms is very important. The same is true of home day cares. Intuition and gut instincts also help with the decision-making process.
Q: What have you learned about this community in your tenure on the Champaign City Council?
A: My tenure on the City Council has taught me that our City is made up of such a variety of people, neighborhoods, and businesses. I have immensely enjoyed getting to know so many people through meetings and informal gatherings. I try to attend most events that I am invited to. People work hard and are proud of their accomplishments. By acknowledging their work, I feel I can learn more about what is happening and, if warranted, make more educated votes.
Q: What are some of your family’s holiday traditions?
A: My must-have tradition is making the family-recipe sugar cookies. I am the only one who makes them now. My mother, sister, brother, and I were featured in the News-Gazette back in the ’50s making them! I must mail them to Texas and California or it wouldn’t be Christmas for them!
Q: What do you know now as a grandmother that you wish you had known as a mom?
A: I think as a mom you are so consumed with all of the tasks of working, cooking, general maintenance, and well-being for everyone that you forget to enjoy the children. Even though you want to just play and enjoy, the other pressures of life don’t always allow it. As the Nana, I can help give a few moments to their parents to let them recharge their batteries. Everyone needs time to reconnect with themselves and/or spouse in order to give the children the attention they need.
Q: In your opinion, what makes C-U a great place to raise a family?
A: In the late ’70s my husband and I moved to Phoenix in what we thought would be the great climate adjustment. It turned out to be just a 2-year sabbatical away from C-U! We discovered that this community offered so much that we missed. The University provides so many venues to enjoy from all the athletic events to museums to campustown. So many people who are associated with the University, also, provide classes in such a variety of subjects to children. We have wonderful park district programs that serve so many different interests at very reasonable costs, not to mention the beautiful parks and play areas for children. . … Our community provides all these opportunities, yet we are relatively close to Chicago, Indy, and St. Louis where many more options exist to build the children’s learning foundation. For all these reasons and many more, I feel that raising a family in C-U is the best!
If you would like to suggest someone to be featured as a Chambana mom (or dad) to know, please email us at editor@chambanamoms.com.