Greetings from your 

Primary School Principal

Dear CISK Family,

I am honored to have accepted the invitation to serve as your Primary School Principal dedicated to Early Years and Elementary School. During my time here thus far, CISK has already grown near and dear to my heart. The students, families, and staff have won me over and inspire me to do my best every day.

Rest assured, although my role has changed, my passion for supporting students and their special needs, has not. The meetings, services, learning support plans, and groundwork that we have laid, will continue. Working in this new capacity will allow us to make even greater gains as we continue together to recognize, celebrate, advocate, and provide support for all students’ learning differences and special needs.

Please let me share a little about myself, professionally and personally.

Professional Background

I bring a broad range of leadership experience from a variety of roles including Special Populations Coordinator, Sheltered Instruction Coach, Special Education/Disability Case Manager, and English Learner Lead Specialist. I have also taught university courses on the post-graduate level and served as the chair for doctoral candidates. I hold a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Special Education and a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning: Special Education, both from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.  I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin.

Understanding Diversity

I have a well-developed understanding and appreciation of diversity and a respect for different cultures which I contribute to multiple, living-abroad and short-term travel experiences.  I arrived here from Texas but have lived in various parts of the U.S. along with Europe (3 years) and Central America (4 years). I have also accompanied humanitarian volunteer trips to Eastern Europe and the Caribbean.

Family and Language

My Guatemalan husband and I have raised two daughters in our bi-cultural home. We made language instruction a priority and they are now trilingual in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. 

▲ Dr. Sarah's two daughters

Through their 12 years of Mandarin studies, they grew to love China—country, culture and people—and dreamed of living and studying there.  Their desires became a family pursuit, and we moved to Kunshan to accompany them. Currently, they are working toward their undergraduate degrees next door at Duke Kunshan University. Go DKU!

▲ Co-leads the Student council

Again, I am honored to have been selected for this role. I am proud to be a part of the current mission and future vision of CISK and will do my part to see CISK reach its full potential.  Let’s make it a great year!

Here to serve,

Dr. Sarah Salazar