Springfield Connection

Springfield — A native New Yorker, Karen Tuttle, age 44, was named new principal of Orange Hunt Elementary School in Springfield, on Sept. 14, 2016, replacing Jason Pensler who became principal of Bull Run Elementary in Centreville. She will lead the school with 865 students and about 100 staff members. Orange Hunt is in the West Springfield Pyramid.

According to its website, Orange Hunt's ethnic breakdown is: 66.63 percent White; 8.19 percent Asian; 7.46 percent Black; 10.64 percent Hispanic; and 7.09 percent Other, based on statistics from 2015-2016. There are 97.4 percent of students in its General Education program and 19.19 percent in its Elementary Advanced Academics, Level II, Level III. Some 10.27 percent of students are enrolled in Special Education services; and 5.99 percent use English Language services.

"The student population is diverse," said Tuttle who's been an educator for 20 years. "We have a little bit of everything here.... There's a lot of single family homes in the area, a lot of military families, especially because of the German Immersion Program. Some of the military move specifically to our area. Some of the military families cycle through. They might leave and come back with different deployments. Our numbers stay pretty constant because of that."

About 300 students take part in the popular German Immersion Program, which teaches math and science in German. "It is a popular program especially with the military families," said Tuttle.

She said there's a lot of research that says if kids learn one language, they pick up a second language easily. In addition, the German Immersion teachers provide visual and hands-on experiments and experiences to the students to enhance their learning. "They build things; they make things -- so the students acquire the language better," she added.

THE SCHOOL offers many other programs such as Girls on the Run, Run Fit Kidz and Odyssey of the Mind. "There's a fencing program, a chess club, other languages," said Tuttle. "It's very inclusive; there's lots of opportunities for kids, which I love. Our Band and Strings program is excellent. It's about 150 kids -- only for fifth and sixth grades."

She says what she loves most about her job is the people. "I think it's exciting because I get to work with people and problem solve -- whether it's a teacher trying to get an endorsement or trying to help a child succeed. At the end of the day, if you're having a bad day, you just go talk to one of the kids and it just fixes everything."

She said her greatest challenge as a new principal includes having time to truly get to know people -- whether it's the teachers, the parents, or the students.

For her personal goals, she said:

"I think just continuing to create opportunities for kids and to really focus on how we can get kids ready for the life they want to lead.” Fairfax County has an emphasis on its “Portrait of a Graduate” outlook which answers the question: “What are the skills necessary for success for all children in this rapidly changing, increasingly diverse, and interconnected world?”

Tuttle also said that “...we need to help them with the skills of communication, critical thinking, problem solving, being able to collaborate with others. We need to imbed the basic academic skills, but they need to be able to go beyond that."

Tuttle added: "I'm excited to be here. You just work hard and you love what you do everyday. I just want to be my best and I want to be there for everyone. I can't do it alone. We all have to come together to make good things happen."

Tuttle grew up in New York state and graduated from Jackson City High School in 1990. She studied American Studies at SUNY Brockport College and earned a teaching certificate, graduating in 1995.

She began her teaching career in Johnson City, N.Y., where she taught fourth grade for two years and then moved to Fairfax County. She taught grades 4 and 5 at Hunters Woods Elementary in Reston. Then taught 6th grade at Providence Elementary where she was also the Lead Intern. She moved to McNair Elementary where she was an Assessment Coach and then became Assistant Principal. She then became Assistant Principal at Halley Elementary in Fairfax Station for six years, followed by her move to Orange Hunt as Principal.

According to Jamey Chianetta, principal of Halley Elementary: “Karen Tuttle is one of the most creative people I have ever known, and she uses this creativity to solve problems. She is an out-of-the-box thinker who is relentless in her efforts to help students achieve. Ms. Tuttle does not allow difficult circumstances to become excuses for underachievement. She has very high expectations for herself, students, and colleagues, and has a tireless work ethic. She is an exemplary leader who builds strong relationships with the entire community."

Paula Johnson, an Instructional Coach at Halley Elementary, added: “Karen Tuttle is a dynamic educational leader whose professionalism, sound judgement, warmth and ingenuity made a lasting impact on teachers and students at Halley Elementary School. The Orange Hunt community is very lucky to gain her expertise and guidance.”

JENNY WEIS, an Advanced Academic Resource Teacher at Halley Elementary, added: "Karen is an enthusiastic person who leads with empathy, vision, and passion. She was the champion of my program and regularly questioned me and pushed me cognitively on how to make my program stronger. She sees the potential in every student and knows that, with the right relationship, all of our students can be successful. She also believes that all students can excel with quality instruction that uses students strengths."

Waples Mill School Counselor Kate Crane added: "When I think of Karen, I think of a warm smile, constant encouragement, a positive attitude, creative problem solving and a drive to work tirelessly to do what’s best for kids. Karen makes it a priority to build meaningful and genuine relationships with all members of the school community. She develops a keen understanding of student’s needs and thinks outside the box to develop strategies to set all students up for success."

Matt Salerno, Assistant Principal at Halley Elementary, added: "Karen Tuttle embodies what a true advocate for student success looks like. She consistently has the best interest of each of her students in mind and, not only makes decisions that will positively impact each of them, but will celebrate their accomplishments with tremendous pride."

Karen Tuttle is married to husband Mark, who is in contracting, and the couple resides in Herndon.