Stoddert Elementary School
Karen Rivas is a passionate educator with 16 years of experience in urban education. She served as a school principal, a charter school volunteer board member, and chaired an academic committee for a pre-K3 through 8th grade local education agency, as well as being a classroom teacher for five years. Additionally, she also served as a classroom teacher to English language learners and a content teacher to students seeking to earn their high school diploma.
All of these previous roles helped bring her expertise and effectiveness in the areas of instruction, leadership, family and community engagement, operations, school culture, and talent development. Specializing in establishing a vision, delivered through program and system design and implementation, Ms. Rivas cultivates environments in which all students thrive, and all educators feel supported and inspired to grow their craft. She brings to Stoddert an unwavering commitment to meet the needs of all students, employ antiracist practices, and work to help close the achievement gap. Karen earned her Bachelor's Degree from the College of Charleston and holds an MA in Education Administration from Jones International University, as well as a Masters of Executive Leadership from Georgetown's McDonough School of Business.