Dr. Karen Curtner
Superintendent
Dr. Karen Curtner has worked in public education for 37 years and has currently served as the Assistant Superintendent for the last 12 years for Nettleton Public Schools in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Her former administrative experience includes serving as Director of Success Achievement Academy, and Principal at Westside High School after serving as Principal at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Her teaching experience includes teaching Family and Consumer Science at Brookland High School and Douglas MacArthur Junior High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Throughout her career, she has received the Educational Leadership Outstanding Alumnus Award from Arkansas State University, the Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals Distinguished Award in addition to being selected as one of Northeast Arkansas’ Most Fascinating Educators. She has served on A-State's College of Education Advisory Committee developing partnerships with international students and working with teacher education and principal programs. She has served over the years on the Advisory Board for Project Lift for Mid-South Health Systems, Crowley’s Ridge Development Council Board of Directors, the Arkansas Association of Alternative Education Board, and the Advisory Board of Action for Kids in Northeast Arkansas.
Due to her experience, she has been interviewed by local, state, and national radio, newspaper, and television networks and has made presentations at state, national and international conferences in Japan, China, Arkansas, Colorado, California, Illinois, Nevada, and Washington D.C. concerning school violence. She shares school safety and lessons learned with administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, students, police departments, school resource officers, and special operations.
She earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Arkansas State University. She received a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science from Harding University and an Associate of Arts Degree from Crowley’s Ridge College. She holds a license as a middle level and secondary teacher in addition to certification as a Principal, Curriculum Specialist, and District Administrator.