Mission Statement
The Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy (FALA) cultivates effective leaders and lifelong learners through a rigorous academic and artistic education. FALA creates an inclusive community of high expectations, ethical stewardship, and collaborative innovation. FALA empowers students, educators, and community members to achieve excellence, embrace diversity, and contribute positively to their communities.
Vision Statement
FALA is an educational community that prepares students to lead, achieve, and create.
Habits of Hands, Heart, and Mind
The FALA Habits of Hands, Heart, and Mind represent five core values that inspire and guide the FALA community—students, faculty, and staff—through their educational journey and beyond. These values shape a culture of academic rigor, artistic excellence, and ethical leadership, aligning with FALA’s mission to foster a thriving, inclusive, and innovative environment.
In classrooms, performances, service projects, personal interactions, and creative endeavors, students embody these Habits as they develop the skills and mindset to become effective leaders and lifelong learners. Faculty and staff integrate these values into every decision and practice, ensuring a cohesive and mission-driven approach to education that prepares all members of the community to excel in their pursuits and contribute meaningfully to the world.
Common Good
Foster a thriving and inclusive community by considering the impact of individual and collective actions. Prioritize decisions that promote equity, shared accountability, and the well-being of the group, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all.
Connection and Collaboration
Embrace diversity by working collaboratively with others across varied disciplines, cultures, and perspectives. Build meaningful relationships that enhance intellectual and artistic growth, driving innovation and a shared purpose.
Investment
Demonstrate personal investment in learning and leadership by taking responsibility for growth and success. Engage actively in FALA’s mission and vision, contributing meaningfully to the school’s culture and community.
Creativity
Challenge conventional ideas by exploring new possibilities and pushing the boundaries of thought, artistry, and interpretation. Cultivate original ideas that inspire change and foster intellectual and artistic excellence.
Critical Inquiry
Seek diverse perspectives, analyze complex ideas, and synthesize insights to inform thoughtful decisions. Use critical inquiry to reflect on experiences, adapt actions, and contribute to continuous personal and collective improvement.
Karen Butterfield
Karen Butterfield is the founder of Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy (FALA).
After charter school legislation was passed in 1995 with the opening of 50 charter schools across the state, Karen started drafting her vision of FALA becoming initially, part of the FUSD umbrella, focusing on rigorous academics, the visual and performing arts and true service learning integrated throughout the curriculum. But that was not going to happen under FUSD at the time. At the time, Karen was an art educator at Coconino High School, after serving as the district-wide art coordinator for 21 years. The journey to opening the school for grades 9-12 in August, 1996 stemmed from critical research, planning and opening partnership doors with the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA),
Knowing there was strong interest from parents, students and the community to develop FALA, Karen then went before the State Board of Education with FALA’s charter application, which was unanimously approved in January, 1996. She and her new FALA governing board team had less than 6 months to find a site for the school.
The intergenerational partnership with FALA, MNA and the Peaks Senior Living Community brought both institutions state, national and international recognition, including having been recognized by President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and The White House, the Arizona and US Departments of Education, and the international museum community – to name a few. FALA was also the first public school to receive the Arizona Governor’s Arts in Education Award (The Honorable Governor Jane Hull).
Beginning in 1996 on the first day of school, and each year after, we held the Native American Friendship Dance, a tradition led by the Benally-Jones Family, with all FALA and MNA staff participating. She remains in touch with many of FALA’s current and former teachers, students and parents, and enjoys the invitations to special FALA ceremonies and events.
Karen is currently providing technical assistance and support to our region’s four southwestern state departments of education (AZ, CO, UT, NV) with the West Comprehensive Center (WCC) and Policy Center at WestEd. Her prior educational policy background also includes providing technical assistance to nine states on educator effectiveness issues on the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO’s) Education Workforce team. Karen earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees (educational leadership) from Northern Arizona University, graduating with distinction, including having been the recipient of an honorary doctorate. She has been recognized numerous times for her work in education, including having been named the 1993 Arizona Teacher of the Year, the National Art Education Association’s Outstanding Teacher in the Southwest Region twice, N.A.U.’s Outstanding Doctoral Student, the Governor’s Arts in Education Award (Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy), the Flinn Foundation’s Most Influential Educator (twice by former FALA students Jacob Stevens and Ashley Davidson), including many other awards/recognitions.
Karen is married to Ernie Butterfield, who was by her side every step of the way with the development and opening of FALA. They have two beautiful daughters, Amanda (a physical therapist in San Diego with husband, Chris DeRosa) and Katie (a 5th grade teacher in FUSD, and married to husband Robb Krause). Karen and Ernie are also the proud grandparents of Braxton and Brinley DeRosa and Sadie Krause.
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