I have been the principal at Crossroads Charter Academy since the 2004-05 school year.  In that time, I have enjoyed working with the CCA staff and getting to know the children and families here.  If we haven't had the opportunity to meet yet, please stop by and introduce yourself.  It's important for us to get acquainted as soon as possible and establish a partnership.

Our number one priority at Crossroads is CHILDREN.  We understand that we exist for children and, therefore, attempt to always do what is best for these special young people whom parents entrust to us.  We want to do the best job we can to prepare children for life, so we continuously monitor learning and adjust our instruction to meet the individual needs of students. 

This is a very exciting time in education, yet a very challenging time, also.  High standards and new technologies cause us to rethink the way we deliver education to children.  At the same time, limited funding is available to help us meet these challenges.  This requires us to be creative and do more with less money.  Crossroads can meet the challenge because we have the perfect combination--a hard-working, dedicated staff along with caring, committed parents.  It is this partnership of home and school, with each striving to provide the best for our children, that enables us to meet the standards and to provide a high quality education for our students. 

That's why I'm so grateful for all the parents and volunteers who give countless hours of their time to our school.  The success of what we do here would not be possible without their support.

Karen Lenz-Wallington

The K-6 Principal's Education & Experience I have a B.S. in Elementary Education from Central Michigan University with a major in English and a minor in Elementary Education.  My Masters is in Reading from Western Michigan University.  I also have a number of credits beyond my Masters in Curriculum, Instruction, and Administration.  This is my tenth year as an administrator.  Prior to coming to Crossroads in the fall of 2004, I was the elementary principal in Marion for seven years.  From 1986 to 1997 I worked in the Forest Hills Public School system as a middle school teacher, then as a Learning Consultant doing staff development and ultimately as an administrative intern.  Before my years at Forest Hills, I spent two years as an elementary Reading Consultant and six years teaching first grade for Lowell Public Schools.  I started my career in Constantine teaching second grade for three years.

Although much of my time is devoted to my job as principal, I am fortunate to be able to share my life with many wonderful people--friends and family members who provide balance and a sense of completeness.  One of those special people is my husband Jack.  We were married on September 1, 2007, the weekend before school started and while I was doing "double duty" as both elementary principal and school superintendent.

As you may know, I had an exchange student live with me during the 2005-06 school year.  It was a joy having my adopted "daughter, " Juliana Jurasova, in my home.  Although Juliana was originally from Slovakia, she is now married and living in the United States.

I had the privilege of being "mom" to an exchange student once before when Mariana from the Czech Republic lived with me.  I thought she would be the only daughter I would ever have, but Juliana and Mariana quickly became sisters, and my adopted family doubled in size!

Skiing in Colorado with Mariana & Juliana 

Spring Break