Teacher of the Year

CTE Teacher, Murrieta Valley High School
Riverside County Office of Education

Karrie Carlson has been teaching for over 17 years. She brings a unique background and expertise being a former police officer for over 12 years. She decisively shares that moving to the classroom was the best decision she ever made. She teaches students in the Career Technical Education Program, specifically the Public Services Pathway. She also is a Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) Advisor.

As a collaborative educator, Karrie regularly brings in FBI, DEA, detectives, local police and sheriff, along with many other community members into the classroom as guest speakers. Her efforts in promoting student wellbeing include Mental Health Mondays, which are designed to help her students gain tools and strategies to cope with their stress as well as teaching others.Through a beautiful blend of compassion and real-life lessons, Karrie remains committed to her students and their pursuit of innovative endeavors.

Karrie's Message

I’m honored and thrilled to receive the Teacher of the Year award for Riverside County. I have been teaching for 17 years, and not once did I perform my job to win an award. I go to work everyday to make a difference in the lives of my students. As a Career Technical Education teacher I introduce them to the world of law enforcement and I also teach them about real life lessons and how to be a productive and engaged citizen. Winning the Riverside County Office of Education and Riverside County Teacher of the Year Awards has been extremely gratifying. I’d like to thank my husband David, my best friend, editor, and travel buddy, as well as my colleagues at RCOE and Murrieta Valley High School, administrators, and students for this wonderful honor. Reflecting upon my career in the essays I was required to write reminded me of the importance of my job as a teacher. Being recognized with an award such as this is the coolest thing that could happen to a teacher who loves their job like I do! I’m proud to be part of the Riverside County Office of Education and represent RCOE as County Teacher of the Year. I’m thankful to be teaching at Murrieta Valley High School and appreciate all of the support I receive from both organizations.