Last month we announced that Kara Lika had been appointed as Castleton Elementary School’s new Assistant Principal and this week she officially started her new role with us here in Schodack!
We checked in to ask Ms. Likar a few get-to-know-you questions so the CES school community could learn more about her if they have not had the chance to meet or speak yet.
Tell us a bit about your background.
Kara Likar
I have been teaching middle school social studies since 2003 when I began my career in Long Island after graduating from Molloy College in Rockville Center. Eventually, I decided I wanted to return to my roots in Upstate NY and that’s when I began teaching and coaching basketball at Scotia-Glenville High School. After a short time there, I joined the faculty at Acadia Middle School in the Shenendehowa School District which is where I have been since January 2005.
While I thoroughly love teaching, I have always had the desire to earn my Administrative Degree, and this past summer I graduated from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts where I earned my certificate of advanced studies in Educational Administration. Working with elementary students has always been a dream of mine and I could not be more excited to be joining the team at CES!
What drew you to Schodack and to apply for the assistant principal position at CES?
When I saw the posting for the position, I applied immediately! Castleton Elementary has a great reputation for building strong relationships between the school, the families and the community.
Coming from teaching in a very large district before this, I was interested in being an administrator in a district the size of Schodack. As the assistant principal in a school like CES, I’ll be able to build strong relationships with many more students, faculty/staff, families and community members. In talking to people who live in this school community, who work at CES or who have students in the district, they all have such positive praise for Schodack. Applying for this position was a no-brainer!
What are some of your goals at CES during these first few weeks and months?
My plan is to listen and learn as much as I can about CES and the district as a whole over the next few months. As to my more immediate goals, I want to start getting to know all of the students, faculty and staff. Learning many names is high on my priority list!
What’s something about your work style that you want the CES school community to know right off the bat?
As an educator, I have always valued my relationships with students, their families and my colleagues. I still keep in contact with many of my former students and their families. Fostering strong, genuine relationships makes the school environment a great place to learn and work. As a former college athlete, I value teamwork and believe the best work is accomplished when leaders collaborate with others.
Tell us a little about life outside of work.
Kara Likar and Family
I live in Halfmoon with my family: my wife (Erika), our son (Luke, 11) and our baby boy (Cole, 1). When we are not watching Luke play basketball or baseball, we are usually spending time at home or with family and friends. We also enjoy traveling.
We are sports fanatics in our house and enjoy watching Duke Basketball. However, we are a house divided when it comes to baseball – I am a lifelong Mets fan, but the other half of the house is Yankees fans :).
Anything else before you go?
I believe laughter is the best medicine for almost anything and a smile and kindness can go a long way!
