Get to know Karen Felder, Principal at Jennie Moore Elementary

Karen Felder is the principal at Jennie Moore Elementary School for the Creative Arts. Known for her enthusiasm with students and the support she provides her teachers, Ms. Felder’s mission is to create an environment where all students can’t wait to come to school.

Now in her twelfth year as principal, Ms. Felder has been with the Charleston County School District for 34 years. She taught physical education and coached tennis and track at Wando High School for 10 years and then taught elementary physical education at Mount Pleasant Academy.

Ms. Felder is very proud of her school’s brand new building but says what makes Jennie Moore special is the people. “It’s the students that come to school every day ready to learn. It’s the parents that prepare the students for their education. It’s the teachers that spend hours with the children working to grow and develop them,” said Ms. Felder.

Leah Surles, a fourth grade teacher at Jennie Moore, says the children love Ms. Felder. “She’s an active participant in their lives,” said Ms. Surles. “She goes to soccer and football games and announces the scores every morning with enthusiasm.” Ms. Felder also supports her teachers in everything they do and ensures they have all the tools they need to excel, according to Ms. Surles.

Adele Curl, fifth grade student at Jennie Moore, describes Ms. Felder as the best principal in the world because she greets every student at the door each morning.

“We, as teachers and educators, need to be a big part of our students’ lives, to be their role models, to help them on great days, to pull them up on those days when they aren’t doing so great,” said Ms. Felder. “Kids have to understand that school is a great place to be and a place they want to be. It’s a place they want to be and experience.”

What many might not know about Ms. Felder is that she was the head cheerleader at Wando High School during her senior year. She was also the first female to earn a letter in track and field at Appalachian State University during her freshman year.

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Ms. Felder lived in several places as a child due to her father’s job with Kentucky Fried Chicken. She has called Mount Pleasant home since 1972.

To find out more about Ms. Felder, watch the following short clip:
https://youtu.be/pY8ACbcAx68

[youtube url=”https://youtu.be/pY8ACbcAx68″]

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