20+ Years in Education

• Paraprofessional
• Special Education Aid
• Substitute Teacher
• Music Teacher & Vocal Coach
• Classroom Educator in Montessori Schools
• Classroom Educator in Public Schools
• Principal in Private Catholic Schools
• Cognia School Evaluator
• K-12 District Curriculum Coordinator
• K-12 Staff Support Specialist
• Educational Consultant for positive school culture
• Center for Teacher Effectiveness National Trainer

Hi, I’m Karissa- Glad you are here!

I grew up in Wahpeton, ND and graduated high school in 1997. I attended both UND and NDSU where I studied Music Education and Vocal Performance. While doing this I volunteered in schools and taught private voice and piano lessons. My husband and I started a family and at that time I started to work in a Montessori School in Fargo, ND. I was there for many years. As my children grew, so did our bills so I went back to school to get my general education degree from Mayville State University. During that time I was a stay at home mom and substitute teacher. I also worked as a special education aid. I loved that job!!! As soon as I graduated from Mayville State, I was hired by West Fargo Public Schools where I stayed for several years teaching in various schools and grade levels as both a classroom teacher and reading interventionist in a rapidly growing district. During that time I also worked as a vocal coach at Elevate Rock School and was able to continue my joy for music. in 2017 I was asked to consider a principal position at JPII Catholic Schools. I went back to earn my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from American College of Education and was hired for the   2018 school year. Being a principal was now my favorite. Supporting both teachers AND students is the best. After being at JPII for a few years I took on an additional administrative role as the curriculum coordinator for the district as well as staff support in building a robust RTI program. During my time as principal, I have also worked as a school system evaluator for Cognia. Most recently in 2024 I was hired by the Center for Teacher Effectiveness as a national trainer. Now I get to go into schools and provide professional development and this is my new favorite. I will never stop working for teachers. Teachers are my people. I understand their needs well. Having spent so many years working through all the ranks of education I have great experience and a tool belt full of strategeis to share. Most of these ideas they don’t teach you in college.  I know these strategies work as I have used them over and over again and now I want to share this info with as many teachers as I can because teaching is harder than ever. I am eager to see where education takes me in the next ten years.

My personal life I like to keep personal, but I will share that I have a fantastically supportive husband and we reside in West Fargo, ND. We have two young adult children and two furry children. I enjoy summers at the lake with family, cooking, travel, reading, singing, and learning.

Cheers!

Karissa