By: Addie Hurst

That new, young, attractive couple you have been meeting in the elevator is Connie Sanders and Carl Koenig. They are very friendly and easy to talk to.

The most unique thing about them is that over a period of time they have befriended 24 students who have lived with them while attending college. One of their protégées is now coincidentally working here at Plymouth Harbor. She is Krystle Harvey, the Office Coordinator in Marketing and Community Affairs. The “kids” they sponsored became part of the family, sharing space, meals, successes, and challenges. Over the years, many still maintain contact even though they are spread across the country.

Connie was born in Baltimore and received degrees from Towson University (Towson, Maryland) and the University of Kansas in Lawrence. She has been certified to teach social science and children with developmental delays and emotional disturbance. She was an Educational Resource Teacher and a Director of Special Education. In her career, she was most recently Director of Special Services for Liberty Public Schools in Missouri. Connie was also an adjunct professor at several colleges including Avila University, Central Missouri State University, and William Jewell College. Before retiring, she held various positions with United Way and was on the board for an agency serving battered women and children with developmental delays and behavioral and mental health issues.

Since moving to Florida, she has volunteered at All Faiths Food Bank, served as chairperson for the Rosedale Rally for the Cure, raising $45,000 each year, and sat on the Rosedale Homeowners Board as vice president in charge of common grounds. It should come as no surprise that she is already a member of the Plymouth Harbor Conservation Committee and is interested in becoming involved with the Fund Shop.

As you can imagine, Carl is no slouch either! His youth was spent in Dearborn, a Detroit suburb. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wayne State University, and his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. The next ten years he worked on the development of Precision Teaching and the first non-discriminatory assessment instrument. Next he taught computer science at Maple Woods Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, and chaired their business division. Carl then taught online courses for the following ten years. He served on his local school board for nine years, and served on the County Board of Adjusters and the area Vocational School Board. He then became business manager for the International Council of Fine Arts Deans.

Each December, they have “family” dinners for their kids; one in Kansas City and one in Sarasota. What do they like to do in their spare time? Carl enjoys golfing, fishing, and reading. Connie enjoys reading, gardening, boating, and going to the beach.

They are very enthusiastic about Plymouth Harbor! They are impressed by the helpfulness of the staff and the friendliness of the residents. Go out of your way to meet them; you will be happy you did!