Kari Pidde is a first-grade teacher in Stillwater, Minnesota. She has taught grades K–6 for more than 25 years, and has been learning and growing her Responsive Classroom knowledge for the past 20 years. The significant positive impact the Responsive Classroom approach has had with her students inspired Kari to join Center for Responsive Schools in helping guide other educators to learn, implement, and advance their Responsive Classroom practices. She has a master’s degree and has completed courses for her K–12 reading licensure program. Kari is married and has two daughters. In the fall her oldest daughter will begin college and her youngest will be a junior in high school. A significant member of her family is also her Yorkshire terrier named Cooper. She has a cabin in northern Minnesota where her family enjoys fishing, boating, and creating memories.