Karsen Matos is proud to serve as the Elementary School Leader at KIPP Valiant Community Prep. A passionate educator, she studied Early Childhood Education at the University of Arkansas before beginning her career as a Teach for America corps member in Richmond, California. She later joined KIPP Bayview Academy, where she grew as a teacher, Assistant Principal, and School Leader.

She joined KIPP Northern California in 2017 and KIPP Valiant in 2023, Karsen has fallen in love with the community and the beauty of East Palo Alto. She is inspired daily by the resilience, joy, and pride of Valiant’s families, staff, and students. Her leadership is grounded in a commitment to building a joyful, equitable, and academically excellent environment where every child can thrive.