Retired Faculty & Staff

Karen Janiga is hanging up her cleats on the cusp of her 30-year anniversary at McDonogh.

Since she arrived in 1994, Karen has shared her enthusiasm for sports and wellness with students in all three divisions, both in the classroom and on the field. She was hired as the Chair of the Upper School Physical Education program and coach of the Middle School field hockey team. The following year, she took on the job of varsity girls lacrosse coach. If you know Karen, you know that she is passionate about both field hockey and lacrosse, and in her time at McDonogh, she has been fortunate to have coached both sports at every level.

For more than two decades, many future lacrosse players learned the basic skills of the game under her leadership as the Director of the McDonogh Girls Rec Lacrosse program. In every sport and at every age and skill level, her success on the sidelines has been due in part to her belief that practice should be fun! She also has unique way of disguising her expectations to get the most out of her players. 

In recent years, Karen has been a significant contributor to the Upper School Wellness Program. She not only makes sure that all students become certified in First Aid and CPR, but she also engages freshmen in sports and activities that they can enjoy throughout their lives. Thanks to her, sophomores benefit from a series of wellness lessons on a variety of topics from leading a healthy lifestyle and managing stress, to positive relationships.  

Karen, we appreciate all you have done for McDonogh. Thank you for being a team player for nearly 30 years. We wish you well in your retirement.

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