Kari grew up in San Diego, and attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Education and Teacher Preparation.

After graduation, she worked in preschool and pursued coursework in Early Childhood Education, with a focus on developmental psychology, inclusion, and social-emotional learning. Along with her husband, she has been raising her three daughters and rescue dog in Pacific Beach, and has been an involved parent volunteer, organizing school-wide events from literacy weeks to children’s theatre programs.

For the past nine years, she has supported parents and children of all ages through family ministry and has served as the Operations Manager for four years in the same church. Currently, she is working towards her Master’s in Education in Advanced Teaching and she is trying to learn French.

When she has free time, she enjoys reading, exploring new neighborhoods, baking, and a variety of creative pursuits, such as collage, painting, jewelry making, knitting, and embroidery.

Kari has loved substitute teaching at SDFAS since May 2026, and looks forward to spending more time getting to know the staff and families in this beautiful and welcoming community.