I have spent over twenty years in the Early Childhood field, working with children from birth through age 12. I feel strongly that it is both a privilege and a huge responsibility to work with and educate the youngest learners. I feel fortunate that I have chosen a profession that is truly a passion and that I get to spend my days with your incredible little ones and the amazing educators who teach at the JCC.

I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in early childhood education with a focus on Administration and Management through Walden University. I believe that children learn best when they are encouraged to explore their worlds using their five senses. Some of the best experiences of childhood are not the carefully planned and orchestrated activities, but rather the messy science experiments that don’t necessarily go to plan. That is because all of us, from infancy through adulthood, learn so much from mess and from mistakes.

On a personal level, I live in the Lehigh Valley with my husband, Jason, and our blended family of four: Josh, Anna, Aaron, and Jake. We also have two cats. I love to cross stitch and always have a variety of projects going on at once. I also enjoy reading and will happily curl up for the day with a cup of hot tea and a great book in front of the fire! I look forward to meeting all of the families at the JCC and being part of the team that helps to care for your children!

Karli has a Bachelor’s in both English/Creative Writing and Communication Studies from Bloomsburg University and a Master’s in Communication Studies from West Chester University of Pennsylvania with an emphasis on family and relationship communication, specifically focused on diversity related topics such as disability and LGBTQIA+ issues.

Currently residing in Allentown with their family, two dogs, and two cats, Karli collects disability-themed toys (including Wheelchair Barbie) and enjoys building Legos in their spare time, as well as volunteering with a variety of disability based organizations. Karli had the honor of being selected as Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania 2020 through the Ms. Wheelchair America organization with their platform “Body Inclusivity and Advocacy for People with Disabilities” which emphasized the importance of self-advocacy and the sometimes difficult conversations that disabled folks need to have about their needs.