Breaking Barriers: Karina’s Path from Refugee to Educational Leader

A refugee from Russia, Karina began working at a very young age. She started at swap meets and later took on a role in her family’s clothing business. While she was devoted to supporting her family, her schooling fell behind.

On the first day of 11th grade, Karina learned she was short on credits and would have to repeat the year. Hoping to catch up, she enrolled in the ROP (Regional Occupational Program) and joined the II Lab to make up credits. Despite her efforts, she realized she could not catch up while continuing to balance work. Faced with that reality, Karina made the difficult decision to drop out of high school.

Still, Karina never lost sight of the importance of education. Determined to earn her diploma, she sought out adult education opportunities and enrolled in the ACCT (Accelerated College and Career Transition) Dropout Recovery Program, which allowed students to complete schoolwork independently while holding a job. Karina excelled in the program and proudly graduated just one month after her peers.

​Today, Karina serves as the Assistant Principal of Operations for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Division of Adult and Career Education. She has earned multiple credentials, including a Master’s in Education with a concentration in School Counseling and a Master’s in English. Most importantly, she continues to give back to the very same adult education programs that made her own success possible.