For the first time since Hazel Dell Elementary School opened in 1988, the head administrator greeting parents and students on the first day of school will not be John Land.
“Mr. Land is a great person to follow as principal. He has built a very successful school,” said new principal Karen Carter. “I look forward to Hazel Dell’s ‘chapter two’ and building on all his successes.”
“You don’t replace a legend, you just find a successor and let them create their own legend,” Noblesville Schools Supt. Dr. Libbie Conner said. “She is just outstanding and ready for the challenge.”
Carter has been an assistant principal at North Elementary School for two years.
“Karen has had an enormous impact at North and at the corporation level. She is going to be a leader in 21st-century learning across all the schools,” North Elementary Principal Joe Brown said. “I’m happy for Hazel Dell. They are in great hands.”
Carter came to Noblesville in 2012 from Wayne Township Schools on the west side of Indianapolis. She served that school district for about 20 years as a special education teacher, a district administrator for curriculum and assessment and an assistant principal. She also worked in technology and curriculum development.
“I’m excited for my new opportunity to learn more about Noblesville and to be a part of such a strong school,” Carter said. “I do feel very strongly about our vision in Noblesville and I am excited to see how we move forward with that. It’s an exciting time for education.”
Carter said being principal is a long-time goal of hers.
“I’ve had several positions, but everyone makes me realize how much I want to be in a school building with children every day,” she said. “I’m a little sad because I had a lot of fun at North but I’m very happy to be continuing my career in Noblesville.”
Carter earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Purdue University and her administrative license from Indiana University.
“I have only been in Noblesville for two years, but I have fallen in love with the school and the community. The community’s been so welcoming,” she said.
