Karri’s core values are simple: gratitude, compassion, see everyone as an individual, and dedication to an intentional legacy through her teaching and volunteering, leaving institutions and people stronger and greater than themselves.

Karri has stayed and flourished at the same school for 22 years and ongoing because it matches her teaching philosophy and has offered her multiple paths to mastery. She has been allowed a lot of freedom, resources, professional development and expanding roles. And this has created for her a genuine feeling of mutual appreciation. The school feels like the true community it is. Students even feel sorry when they can’t be there, and that was true way before pandemic times.

Her life had not been easy since in her mid-20s, Karri has been struck with a series of auto-immune illnesses with its precarious impact, which she talked about. Every health episode, all of which she has bounced back from, seems to increase her determination to help others. As a mentor to other teachers, she strives to lead them to really like math and teaching.

Karri is equally dedicated to her volunteer work. For the past 10 years, she has been a volunteer at the New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, devoting almost every Saturday there. In 2014, she was awarded that Hospital’s Volunteer of the Year and Chief Life Volunteer of the Year Awards. Her volunteer accomplishments have focused on children, families and those suffering with long-term illnesses. Karri stated that that her desire is to be an inspiration, have a positive impact and give back to a hospital and community that have given her so much.

Next steps in her work legacy journey are to supervise, mentor and build confidence in all math teachers and continue her learning, finishing a Higher Education Teaching Certificate at Harvard.

Takeaways

• Maintain an attitude of gratitude every day, keep motivated and positive, even in the face of great personal challenges.
• Give more than you are receiving.
• Develop a culture where people thrive, despite the challenges.

Quotes

• “Have compassion. Remember everyone is a human being.”
• “It takes about 10 years for teachers to get into a rhythm and feel mastery.”
• What business can learn from an independent private school:” Create and nurture an environment where people are valued as individuals.”
• “It’s not only about the bottom line.”

Bio

Teacher, mentor, and innovative educator, Karri Ankrom is currently the Head of the Math Department at an independent school in New York City where she has taught for 22 years of her 23-year career. Over the course of her career she has taught 1st and 8th Grade, all subjects. Her favorite subject to teach is, undoubtedly, math. 

Karri is equally passionate about teaching and her volunteer work. She began volunteering at New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital at Columbia University Medical Center 10 years ago. She was recognized as the 2015 New York Presbyterian Volunteer of the Year and has been presented with the Mayoral Service Recognition Certificate for outstanding efforts and commitment to service in New York City. 

Originally from Arizona, Karri earned both Bachelor of Science and Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. She is currently working on a Higher Education Teaching Certificate through the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning at Harvard University.

In her spare time, Karri is learning Mandarin at the China Institute where she has also written curriculum and was awarded a 3-week study abroad trip throughout Southwestern China. 

How to reach Karri:

Karriankrom386@gmail.com