Assistant principal Kari Saunders started out in our district as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Since then, she has been working with minority students in the middle school and high school. Last school year, she was heavily involved in the Black Student Union (BSU) where she created a safe place for student voices.

Recently, she has stepped in as an assistant principal, which has brought her even closer to students. Saunders’ goal is to continue to give those students a voice, and support them. 

“We want kids to have places that they can go to. Student voice is critical,” said Saunders. “We have to make sure that all students know their voice is very important, and it should be honored and respected.”

Not only is Saunders known for her outreach and leadership in our school, she also brings a positive and optimistic attitude to the admin team and students she interacts with. Her incredible connection with students comes from her vast experience with DEI work. One way this is seen in the school is through the Indian Education Program at the high school that Saunders oversees. 

“Her impact on me at this school was very positive and deep,” said sophomore Olivia Essien, a student in the Indian Education Program. “After dealing with … bullying, I felt like a big weight got pulled off of my back and I was able to be happier and walk around this school, knowing that most of that stress that it was causing me has been lifted.”

I have seen how she has inspired students and how passionate she is about student voices in our school through her past involvement with BSU and in her new role as assistant principal.  Overall, Saunders’ leadership has made her impactful to many. 

“She has made me feel seen because a few months ago for Native American Heritage she offered me an opportunity to run a stand at lunch with my peers and educate others on our culture. This made me feel seen because nobody really knows me for my culture of being African American and Native American, and I was able to express that to other students at my school,” Essien said. 

Saunders is a role model for young leaders. Not only is she one of the few female administrators in our building, she also brings an element of kindness and passion toward students and peers. She shows me, as well as other students, that all voices are important, that women can be great leaders, and that change can be both large-scale and small.