Karen Pyron is the Principal of Arco Elementary School and is Idaho’s 2006-07 National Distinguished Principal

She received her BA from Washington State University and started teaching for Butte County School District in 1975. She taught junior high from 1975 to 1978 and high school English, reading, speech, and debate until 1998. In 1998 she assumed the duties of elementary principal and federal programs director. Karen earned her MEd in 1981 from Idaho State University and her Education Specialist certification in 2003, also from Idaho State University. She is very active in community and church activities and the Idaho Association of Elementary School Principals where she serves as a state officer.

Karen's family includes her husband Chuck of 29 years who works for the INL.  Her son Jason graduated from Butte High School in 2000, and received both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Idaho. He is a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Forest Service in California.  Her daughter Rachel graduated from BHS in 2003 and from the University of Idaho in 2007 with a degree in Early Childhood Education.  She is currently pursuing a degree in physical therapy at Idaho State University.