Paul H. Karrer ’76

Enrolling at MCC during the closing days of the Vietnam War, Paul H. Karrer ‘74 found himself amidst a tumultuous period in history. Reflecting on his time at the college, Paul shares, "It was a time of social exploration and personal development, with the weight of the war still heavy on the minds of most young men. Many of us were in a lottery for the draft." Despite the challenges of the era, Paul found solace in the vibrant campus community, where he recalls tuition was $300 per year and classrooms were housed in trailers. 

Paul's journey led him to serve with distinction in the Peace Corps and embark on teaching adventures across the globe. His dedication to his students was palpable, as evidenced by his profound question to a fifth-grade class about visits to family members in prison—a moment that sparked a journey of empathy and connection that impacted his work as an author. Remarkably, this commitment to human connection led to a three-year correspondence chess game with a former student who found himself in prison at age 14, highlighting Paul's unwavering belief in the power of redemption and understanding.  

Karrer draws inspiration for his writing from his diverse experiences, including his time as a Peace Corps volunteer and teaching across the globe. His perspective as a husband and father in a multicultural household adds depth and richness to his work. 

Karrer’s witty and touching essays have appeared in a variety of publications including the L.A. Times, New York Post, San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, Teacher Magazine, Education Week, and Yolanda King's anthology Open My Eyes, Open My Soul: Celebrating Our Common Humanity, as well as numerous volumes in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Additionally, he has shared his articles and editorials on FM Radio station - KUSP 88.9, Santa Cruz CA, where he has been a regular since 2000. His stories are also shared on his podcast “Teachers Tails”.  

Karrer lives in Monterey, California, with his wife. They have a daughter – Amber – and a bull terrier named Snoopy.