Karen Schauer was appointed the new Galt Elementary School District superintendent on Wednesday afternoon in Galt. (Angelina Gervasi/News-Sentinel)

Taking up the reins

Karen Schauer appointed new superintendent of Galt district

Galt Elementary board members announced Wednesday night that the current director of curriculum, Karen Schauer, would take over as the new superintendent of the district.

Schauer, 49, glowed as the board ratified her promotion in a 4-0 vote.

According to Interim Superintendent Jeff Jennings, Schauer was the only candidate considered for the position, which will pay $135,000 a year.

Schauer started her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher at Fairsite Elementary School, where she taught for 15 years. She moved into district administration as a curriculum specialist before eventually becoming curriculum director.

She views her 27 years of experience in the district as an asset and said that not a day goes by that she doesn't run into one of her former students around town.

Although Schauer said that it seems like a natural progression, she said being a superintendent was never one of her goals.

"It was a dream come true to be selected to be a teacher (in this district)," Schauer said. "I never stopped loving being a teacher."

She describes her leap into administration as an "opportunity that presented itself," and said that Jennings' enthusiasm and passion for his job inspired her to make the final step.

Schauer said she looks forward to collaborating with members of the district, and hopes to learn from all district employees — from principals to bus drivers.

"A superintendent can't have all the answers," Schauer said. "A good educator is a continuous learner."

Jennings, who stepped out of retirement when former superintendent David Dominguez resigned suddenly for personal reasons, said he remembers being a principal at Valley Oaks, where Schauer was briefly assigned during her first year as a teacher.

According to Jennings, before the school year began, Schauer asked for the names and addresses of her students so she could go to their houses and speak to their parents. He said that before Schauer, he had never heard of a teacher doing such a thing.

Jennings suspects that as superintendent, Schauer will have to tackle issues like deciding how to continue to provide student services on a limited budget, but that her transition should be relatively easy.

"She doesn't know all the ropes," Jennings said. "But you don't know all the ropes until you've sat in the chair."

Contact reporter Amanda Dyer at amandad@lodinews.com.