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School Leadership
Karie Burns
Principal
Andrea Haser
Assistant Principal
Letter from the Principal
It is with great excitement that I enter my 11th year as Principal of Surprise Elementary School. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with such persevering students, an extremely dedicated staff, and a supportive school community. I feel very fortunate to be part of this school and to support the students and families.
I have been dedicated to the field of education for more than twenty years, 13 of those years have been in Dysart. In my 20 years of education I have been a teacher, an instructional coach, Assistant Principal, and Principal.
On a personal note, I am a 4th generation Arizonan and have called the west valley my home my entire life. I have been married for 20 years. Our oldest just graduated high school and is off to college out of state. Our son only has two more years of high school, and our youngest will be starting 3rd grade in the fall.
It is my goal to ensure that our children continue to receive a quality education in an environment that is safe and nurturing every day. I consider the relationships between families and the school vital to the success of our students. I encourage you to become involved in every way possible. I look forward to a new year!
Letter from the Assistant Principal
Hello fellow cubs, my name is Andrea Haser, and I am so excited to be your assistant principal for the upcoming school year! Your warm welcome during my visits this spring makes it clear why you are Surprise Strong and I can’t wait to get to know each and every one of you.A small town girl at heart, I thrive on building relationships with students and the community through school events. As an educator of over 10 years, I know the importance of working together with families to provide the best education for each and every student. After all, you know your child best!
The foundation of my career is the belief that all students can succeed and find their extraordinary and unique potential. Students are our future and I believe an educator’s purpose is to pave the way for success. While success is the destination, each student has their own roadmap. As an assistant principal, I will work to provide opportunities that meet individual student needs both in and out of the classroom. Having taught in both the elementary and high school setting, I understand the importance of establishing a strong educational foundation and encouraging lifelong learning.
I have served in the Dysart Unified School District since 2013 and also live in the community with my husband Erik, two children, and two cats. I enjoy reading, music, photography, and can often be found on the sidelines cheering my own kids and students on in sports, concerts, and other extracurricular events. You will soon discover my obsession with pineapples having earned me the title of the “pineapple queen.”
I look forward to the upcoming school year and joining you as a Surprise Cub. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at any time during the school year! #SurpriseStrong!