When Kari Kreple began her teaching career, charter schools were still a new idea, full of promise, innovation, and opportunity. Fresh out of college and eager to make a difference, she joined a brand-new National Heritage Academies (NHA®) school that hadn’t even opened its doors yet.
“I interviewed with the principal in what was then just a grassy field,” she recalls with a laugh. “The building wasn’t even here yet, but I was thrilled to be part of something from the very beginning.”
That was the fall of 1997 and nearly three decades later, Kari is still making an impact at Eagle Crest Charter Academy in Holland, Michigan.
Growing with the School
Kari’s journey has mirrored Eagle Crest’s own growth. Over the years, she’s taught third, second, and first grades, spent time teaching art and gym part-time while raising her children, and spent 17 years shaping young learners in kindergarten before returning to teach first grade this year.
Her connection to Eagle Crest runs deep. “It’s the people,” Kari said. “We have such a supportive, welcoming, and collaborative environment. Everyone is dedicated to helping our students grow and learn and that teamwork makes all the difference.”
A Commitment to Moral Focus™
From the beginning, Kari says, NHA’s foundation has been built on three things: small class sizes, parent involvement, and strong moral character. “The Moral Focus program is one of the things that has really endured through the years,”.
At Eagle Crest, students experience Moral Focus Mondays, where they explore monthly virtues like respect, gratitude, and perseverance through writing prompts and classroom discussions. “It gives the whole school something to think about each week. It helps students connect those virtues to their daily lives at home and at school.”
Celebrating the Joy of Teaching
Ask Kari what she loves most about her job, and her answer is easy: the kids. “I’ve always known that I was meant to be a teacher,” she said. “Building relationships with students and watching them grow is the biggest blessing in my life.”
For years, Kari has found reward in helping students learn to read. “Watching a child go from not knowing any letters to confidently reading a story by the end of the year, it’s like witnessing a miracle,” she said with a smile. “It never gets old.”
One of her favorite Eagle Crest traditions is Teacher’s Theater, a springtime event where teachers act out stories written by their students. “The kids don’t know whose story was chosen until the big assembly. Seeing their faces light up when their story comes to life, it’s priceless.”
After nearly three decades, Kari’s enthusiasm hasn’t faded, in fact, it’s stronger than ever. “I still love what I do. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Kari’s journey reminds us that when we teach with purpose, lead with kindness, and grow together as a team, we create schools where both students and staff thrive.
Fun Fact
When she’s not in the classroom, Kari enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling to visit her family in Vermont where she loves hiking and spending time outdoors. And for a fun bit of family nostalgia, she fondly remembers a quirky childhood tradition of eating Lutfisk, a Swedish dish that’s part of her heritage. “It’s this clear, gelatinous fish that as a kid I thought was so special because it was at Grandma and Grandpa’s,” she laughed. “Now I think, I can’t believe we ate that! But it’s still such a great memory.”
Congratulations on 28 years at National Heritage Academies Kari!
Check out a school near you!
About Eagle Crest Charter Academy
Eagle Crest Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Holland, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
Visit Eagle Crest Charter Academy's blog to read more stories like this.