New Principal Starts At Fishing Cove Elementary School

Karen Seitler, the newly appointed principal at , says that more than anything, she wants to make the school a place where students receive a rigorous education while also enjoying themselves and loving being there.

“I want all of the kids to receive the best education we can provide; I want to create a learning environment that is very exciting for students,” Seitler said. “Ultimately, I want Fishing Cove to be the best it can be.”

With more than 30 years of experience working in the school systems of Rhode Island, Seitler says that teaching is her passion and she is excited for this new transition to Fishing Cove.

“I love getting up and coming into school every day and I am very excited to be joining the Fishing Cove community," she said. "I have been very impressed with the teachers and parents and their enthusiasm. They are all very student centered which is what it’s all about.”

A resident of Chepatchet, Seitler received her bachelors in elementary and special education from Rhode Island College, and later got her masters in curriculum and administration at the University of New England.

She comes to the NK school department from many years of experience at Captain Isaac Paine Elementary School teaching special education and kindergarten through fifth grades; being a curriculum coordinator and title one math specialist; and most recently being their interim principal.

Seitler says that her experience working with kids and in the school has made her realize how so students need specific and individualized teaching because each student has different needs and areas that they need help in.

“In education, we have hit a point where we have so much more data available about our students and I really want the students to have the personalized teaching that they need,” Seitler said.

She also wants the school to take more advantage of the marsh and cove that is behind the school and use it even more in their curriculum.

“As of now, each grade level has focused on a different aspect of the marsh and cove, but I really want to extend that curriculum and grow it so that it becomes more cohesive over time,” Seitler said.

Ultimately, Seitler says that she loves what she does because she feels like she is making a difference.

“No day is ever the same as the next day and it’s hard work and you go home exhausted, but when you see a student or teacher ‘get it,’ it’s all worth it just for that one moment,” Seitler said. “I consider myself very fortunate because I love going to work.”

In her spare time, Seitler loves to spend time with her three kids, hike with her dog Bella, kayak, rollerblade and garden among other things. She says that she likes to always be in the woods or by the water.