Ms. Karin

TEACHER

I'm Karin with an "i", not to be confused with the "Karen" meme who always wants to talk to the manager.

Growing up in New York, I played school quite a bit in our basement and I was always the teacher so it was no surprise that I found myself in the field of education. In 1996, I earned my teaching credential and taught 2nd grade in Poway Unified School District. Just one year later, my husband, Chris, and I started our family and I decided to take some time off to be at home with our children. Thirteen years and four children later, I was ready to return to work.

I joined San Diego Unified in 2006 and taught kindergarten and first grade at Hamilton and Field. Although I loved the work I was doing, something was missing. I recognized that many of our students with special needs required rigorous, consistent, caring instruction. I returned to school and obtained my Masters in Special Education and an education specialist credential to service students with moderate to severe disabilities. I've spent the past thirteen years working in special education and I love what I do. The past eleven years have been at Clairemont Canyons Academy, formerly Lindbergh Schweitzer, working with students who have multiple disabilities. Everyday is different and challenging.

I consider myself a lifelong learner and have continued to pursue my education. In addition, to my general education and special education credentials, I have added authorizations to my portfolio including an orthopedic impairment and an early childhood authorization. I've also obtained an administrative services credential that allows me to act as an administrator when needed.

FAMILY

I've been married to my husband Chris, for the past 29 years and feel so blessed to have a partner that supports the work that I do. We have four children, Ty, Sammi, Cole and Max. Ty, 25, is in the Navy serving our country in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and we the opportunities to visit him there. Sammi, our only daughter, is 23 and is attending medical school at St. George University in Grenada. Cole is 21 and is pursuing a degree in Aviation Science. Our youngest son, Max, will turn 20 later this year. Max is a lifeguard for the city of San Diego and will be working at a snowboard instructor in Mammoth this winter.

FRIENDS, FOOD, FUN

I always try to make time to practice "self-care." Sometimes this means spending time hiking through local canyons, walking along our beautiful beaches or even cooking a meal for friends and family. I love to read, play with my dogs, work in my garden and plan my next "travel experience." Some of my favorite trips include time spent in the mountains of Aspen, Colorado, skiing with my family, taking in the amazing sights and city views of Cortona, Italy, or spending time with my friends at a winery in Sonoma, California. Whatever it is that I'm doing, I try to live in the moment and enjoy what I have, when I have it.