From left, Kinley Sporhase and Sadee Mosenteen follow along with Kari Vasa on a laptop during a fifth grade technology class. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
From left, fifth-graders Emma Benson and Alexis Nelson look on as Kari Vasa guides them through a difficult step in their digital escape room project Thursday, April 1. Thanks to Vasa’s innovation, the technology classes are held in the elementary library. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Kari Vasa, in back, takes a closer look at a technology project with fifth grader Nahun Moran Olivas, in center. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
During the pilot year for the Promethean Panel, Kari Vasa, at left, demonstrates the interactive screen to Kyle Goldenstein and her dad, Luke, at a school open house in March 2020. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Innovation + Creativity = Kari Vasa
“When I think of an innovator, I think of someone who is willing to take risks, someone who is anxious to try something new, someone who embraces change, someone who will not back down from a challenge, someone who enjoys looking at things from a different angle or a new perspective. All of these are qualities I see in Kari Vasa.”
The words of Lynn Schneider in her nomination letter perfectly describe this year’s Innovator of the Year in Holyoke School District’s Emerald Award program.
Vasa is the technology teacher and librarian for kindergartners through sixth graders at Holyoke Elementary School, in addition to serving as the district assessment coordinator for K-12.
A passion for innovation
Vasa greeted the fifth graders as they marched into the elementary school library, Chromebook laptops in hand.
They recited their goals for that day’s project: creating digital escape rooms using Google applications.
The students watched intently as Vasa utilized her laptop, monitor and Promethean Panel with such ease, drawing the kids into her high-tech world one by one.
Without skipping a beat, the students followed her examples and then mastered the skills on their own, adding in touches of math, grammar and creativity along the way.
Vasa patiently guided those that needed a boost, and she celebrated along with those who conquered the challenge.
What an outsider would never guess is that this has been a challenge for Vasa — one that she embraced with open arms.
After graduating from Colorado Christian University, this Holyoke High School alum accepted a kindergarten teaching position at Holyoke Elementary School in 2008. In fact, that class is now graduating from HHS this year!
Vasa spent five years in the kindergarten classroom before teaching first grade for seven years.
For the 2020-21 school year, Vasa had the opportunity to take on a new position.
“It was the right time for me to take a leap and do something different,” she said.
“Kari has definitely embraced change this year,” said Schneider. “She has taken on the new role of serving as our elementary technology teacher AND elementary librarian AS WELL AS becoming our district assessment coordinator. Three new jobs all rolled into one! Kari has jumped in with great enthusiasm to tackle this new position.”
Click here to read the full article in our free Emerald Awards section.