Meet Kara Kiehn (Didio), an Oneida CSD alumna from the Class of 2007!

Some of Kara’s favorite memories from her time at Oneida CSD center around art class, which was always one of her favorite places to be. The art room was a space where she could be herself and spend time with her friends. More than 20 years later, Kara and her longtime friends still reminisce about their days in the art room. She credits Pam Lynch for always being one of their biggest cheerleaders.

When Kara wasn’t in the art room, she could often be found in the Fariel, cheering on her siblings during basketball season. She loved watching all four of her siblings take to the court each winter. It was not uncommon to find her in the upper bleachers with a video camera, recording varsity basketball games for the team. With her dad coaching, her siblings playing, and her mom and grandfather keeping the book, the basketball court truly became a second home for the entire Kiehn family.

Following graduation, Kara attended SUNY Potsdam, following in the footsteps of her elementary art teacher and former Oneida teacher, Karen Backus. She graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education. Her undergraduate program was unique, with most of her classes and art studios completed through SUNY Potsdam, while her education courses were completed through St. Lawrence University.

Kara remained at SUNY Potsdam to earn her MSED in Literacy Education. Following the completion of her master’s degree, she earned her professional teaching certification in Visual Arts K–12.
This fall, Kara will begin her 16th year as an art educator. She currently teaches students in grades 6–8 at Holland Patent Middle School. Throughout her career, she has taught art at all levels, but middle school remains her favorite.

"Middle schoolers are just at the beginning of figuring out who they want to be and I enjoy helping them navigate their possibilities."

To future graduates, she offers this advice: "Build strong friendships. The people who stick by you are the ones worth surrounding yourself with. Find something you enjoy that gives you purpose. Be brave, choose yourself, be resilient, and build something you’re proud of. Be undeniably yourself, and don’t apologize for taking up space."