Carmela Elementary School in South Whittier welcomes their new principal, Karina Hartl.
Karina Hartl comes to the South Whittier School District with 20 years of educational experience in the neighboring Whittier City School District. She is extremely excited to return to the district that contributed to who she is today. Growing up as an English Learner in the South Whittier School District and evolving into a biliterate adult, Hartl understands the immense responsibility of investing in all children, so that academic excellence is attainable for students of diverse backgrounds.
Mrs. Hartl has a strong educational background with multiple degrees. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton and continued her education by earning a Master’s Degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University.
Along with her impressive educational background and professional experience Hartl has earned high recognition with multiple accolades. Mrs. Hartl was the recipient of the 2017 Los Angeles County Bilingual Director’s Association, Bilingual Administrator of the Year. She was also awarded the Whittier Chapter, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Central Office Administrator of the Year in 2018.
Karina Hartl is most proud of having the opportunity to implement the Whittier City School District Parent Center, where she successfully established a wide range of community resources for hundreds of district families during the five years in serving as a parent advocate. She is humbled to come back to the district that educated her, and plans to partner with the Carmela school community to promote student learning by collaborating and building positive relationships with all stakeholders in the South Whittier School District community.