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Karen Sartori is the Principal/Director of the Mountain View Core Knowledge School. Born in Trinidad, Colorado, she moved to Cañon City when she was in 7th grade, attending both Cañon City Middle School and graduating from Cañon City High School.
Karen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in child psychology from the University of Northern Colorado and soon began a career with Child Advocacy of Greeley. She says, "during college, I worked as a preschool director of a YMCA program while also waiting tables to pay my bills. As the child of an educator, it didn't take long for my path to lead me to become a teacher. I accepted my first teaching position at Florence Middle School while earning my teaching license through an alternative program offered by UCCS and the Pikes Peak BOCES." After six years in the classroom, Karen was encouraged to pursue an educational leadership position, so she started a program that led her to her current position at MVCKS where she has been the Principal for the past thirteen years.
Mrs. Sartori says the hardest thing about being a principal is balancing all aspects of a school's needs with regard to students, staff, and families. She adds, "in addition, knowing how difficult the job of a teacher is, it's critical for a principal to provide a supportive culture while also holding accountability high for the things that we value most."
The most rewarding part of Karen's job is bearing the fruit of a school community that works together passionately for a common goal. "Developing students who are life long learners and who genuinely feel that learning is fun is very rewarding. When past students put their kids on our waiting list to attend our school, it's very fun to see!"
What advice would Mrs. Sartori offer to those who think they might like to become a school principal? "Be sure you have a true passion for education, are able to adapt to continuous change, and don't ever ask staff to do anything that you aren't willing to do yourself. "