CARLSBAD UNIFIED CONNECTIONS

Carlsbad Unified School District serves approximately 11,000 students across fifteen campuses and employs about 550 classified full- and part-time staff members. Karen Knapp, the district’s Human Resources Analyst for classified employees, plays an essential role in supporting this community. She is dedicated to ensuring each position is filled with the right individual, helping create an environment where students and staff feel supported and have the resources they need to succeed.

Over the course of her career in Human Resources, Ms. Knapp has conducted over 20,000 job interviews. “I love talking with people and learning about them, and I love hiring great people,” she says. “I see myself as a ‘professional matchmaker,’ finding the right candidate for the right job.”

Prizing fairness and equity in hiring, as prescribed by the California Education Code, Ms. Knapp oversees the full cycle of recruitment, screening, testing, interviewing, reference checking, and hiring. With expertise and professionalism, she plans and administers employment examinations across a wide variety of classifications—from recruitment postings to developing eligibility lists—while ensuring legal compliance, fairness, and accuracy.

Before joining Carlsbad Unified, Ms. Knapp worked in the Human Resources field in the private sector in Ohio for 20 years, at institutions such as Broadview Savings Bank and Southwest General Hospital. Relocating to San Diego 30 years ago to be nearer to her family, she took a position at the San Diego Union-Tribune as a Senior Recruiter. Then, while her children were young, she served for six years as a Special Education Instructional Aide at Vista Unified, gaining invaluable experience in the education field. That exposure in schools provided a natural transition back to Personnel Services when she joined Carlsbad Unified in 2021.

Ms. Knapp’s job is demanding and dynamic. “When the schools are closed for summer vacation, it’s prime time for hiring classified employees,” reports Ms. Knapp. “July, August, and September are crunch time. We are busy filling each job opening so our schools are staffed and ready for the arrival of students in the fall. Fortunately, it's like a family here. We are all here for the students, and we all help each other out.”

“Through Ms. Knapp’s integrity and commitment to excellence, she elevates the image of classified employees throughout the District and community,” said Director of Classified Personnel Rachel Austin. “She demonstrates that classified professionals are strategic leaders, reinforcing the critical role they play in advancing student achievement and organizational effectiveness.

Ms. Knapp’s exceptional performance, unwavering dedication to service, and meaningful impact on both our schools and the broader community truly represent the highest standards of classified excellence. Post COVID-19 pandemic, while districts were staffing back up, she even stepped in to assist as a Nutrition Assistant providing her valuable insight to Nutritions Services. More recently, she has given back by conducting interview skills workshops at Sage Creek High School, helping students prepare for entering the workforce.

Ms. Knapp has two daughters. One is a pastry chef, and the other is just finishing up her teaching credential. When she has a spare moment, Ms. Knapp loves to read, cook, and bake. She also enjoys taking long walks to enjoy the outdoors.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is to see employees grow within the district,” says Ms. Knapp. “I enjoy watching staff members advance through the ranks and build meaningful careers here at Carlsbad Unified.”