Since Karen’s first class of kindergarteners that she taught
graduated high school last June, it’s a safe bet that many, many children in
Copper know and love Miss Vail.
Teaching now for 13 years, Miss Vail has taught
kindergarten, k/1 splits and straight 1st grade, as well as holding
the position of Itinerant Resource Teacher between Mark Twain and Copper,
Independent Study Teacher, Yearbook advisor, Lead teacher for MTUESD – planning
staff development and supervising professional collaboration days for the
district – and the title of Assistant Principal of Copper School since October
2010. When the principal job became available “I applied…and went through the
same interview process as the other candidates.”
When asked the favorite part of her job, the response was
quick and concise, “The kids of course! They show great excitement and promise
for our future.”
Miss Vail looks forward to continuing the implementation of
the Bullying Prevention Program as well as a new English language Arts Program.
Currently peer coaching is in the works, “who better to learn from about
instructional strategies than other teachers?”
The current student population at Copper School is 262.
When asked about a right-hand helper Miss Vail stated,
“Frankly, we all help each other” but extended kudos to school secretary
Hillary Hoben and custodian Jill Douglass.