Interview With Our New Vice Principal, Karen Puzio

 Interview With Our New Vice Principal, Karen Puzio

By Uma Maric

 

 

Ms. Puzio kindly gave our newspaper an interview so our students have the opportunity to learn more about her.

 

1. How would you describe yourself to students who don't know you yet?

I'm someone who genuinely believes that every person has potential waiting to be discovered. I've spent 17 years teaching Social Studies and working as Department Head and IB Coordinator at Churchill Secondary, and now as Vice Principal at Templeton, I get to support the entire school community. I love having real conversations with students, and I'm the kind of person who will remember what you told me last week and check in to see how things are going. As a VP, my door is open – whether you need help solving a problem, want to share something exciting, or just need someone to listen. I lead with my heart and my head, which means I care deeply about fairness and relationships, but I also believe in clear expectations and following through on commitments.

 

2. What made you want to become a vice principal?

Honestly, it came from years of working alongside students and teachers who were navigating really complex situations. In my previous leadership role at my other school, I found myself in a lot of conversations where I was helping solve problems, mediating conflicts, or supporting people through challenging moments. I realized that what I loved most wasn't just teaching my subject – it was creating the conditions where everyone could thrive. I wanted to expand my impact beyond my classroom and department to support the entire school community. Plus, I've learned that some of the best growth happens when we face challenges together, and I wanted to be in a position to help more students and staff through those moments.

3. What's something students might be surprised to learn about you?

I'm a bit of a nerd about several things! I'm really into birdwatching – I love identifying birds when I'm out in about whether it's with my family, friends, or when I'm on my own. It's amazing how many birds are in the city. I've discovered this when I embarked on my other hobby, urban exploration. I love discovering hidden parts of the city, checking out new neighborhoods, and finding cool photography spots. That being said, I also really enjoy exploring nature and trudging through bogs and wet sand beaches!

4. What was your favourite part of school when you were a student?

I loved history and anthropology classes because they helped me understand different perspectives and cultures. I was fascinated by how people lived in different times and places, and how societies changed over time. I also really valued having teachers who saw me as a whole person, not just a student in their class. The teachers who took time to ask how I was doing or who noticed when I was struggling with something – those relationships made school feel like a place where I belonged. That's something I've tried to bring to my own teaching and leadership.

5. What is your favourite part of your job?

The variety and the relationships! As VP, every day is genuinely different. One moment I might be helping a student work through a challenge, the next I'm supporting a teacher with a classroom situation, then I'm helping coordinate a school event or working with families. I love those moments when I can help connect students with the right support or opportunity – maybe it's a club they didn't know about, a teacher who shares their interests, or resources that make a difference. And I really value being able to see the whole school picture and help create the conditions where everyone can thrive. The best part is building relationships with students, staff, and families across the entire Templeton community.

6. What's one thing you really value in a school community?

Authentic belonging. I don't just mean tolerance or acceptance – I mean creating spaces where every person can feel truly known, valued, and safe to be themselves. That means different things for different people: for some students it's seeing their culture reflected in the curriculum, for others it's having adults who understand their learning style, and for others it's finding a club or group where they connect. I believe success isn't just about grades – it's about whether students feel like they genuinely belong and can grow into who they're meant to be.

7. What do you hope students will say about you by the end of the year?

I hope students will say, "Ms. Puzio actually listens" and "She's fair and cares about what happens to us." As a VP, I know I'll sometimes have to have difficult conversations or make decisions students might not initially like, but I hope they'll recognize that I'm always thinking about what's best for the whole community and treating everyone with dignity and respect. I want students to feel like I'm approachable – someone they can come to when they need help, when they're excited about something, or when they're struggling. If students feel like I saw them as whole people and helped make Templeton a place where they could be themselves and grow, then I'll consider this year a success.

8. What are you most excited about at our school?

I'm genuinely excited about Templeton's incredible diversity – students from so many backgrounds, speaking over 40 languages, and bringing such varied perspectives. That's a real strength! I'm also excited about your specialized programs. I had the privilege of watching the winter production by Theatre Temp and Dream Big Productions, and I was completely blown away by the talent – the acting, directing, costumes, makeup, and overall production value were outstanding. I'm looking forward to seeing more experiments and presentations from the STEM team and participating in future Mini-School community events (I was disappointed to miss their talent show this winter, I heard it was great!). I look forward to another invitation from the Templeton Home Ec Foods team to sample the delicious student creations. Speaking of delicious samples, I can't wait for the next Communi-Tea event during FIT!

The Learning Hub is such a supportive space for learning, and I was honored to be welcomed into the Sacred Room – it's a beautiful, peaceful, and welcoming space that really reflects Templeton's values. I'm excited for the Lunar New Year Celebration in February – I love hearing the Dragon Dance drumming practice echoing from the cafeteria after school. Then there is athletics, I'm amazed by the variety of sports and inspired by the dedication of the staff and students - go Team Titans! There's so much happening at Templeton, and I can't wait to get to know all of you and be part of this vibrant community!