Early in life, Cramer found herself at an inflection point when a discouraging teacher told her everything she couldn’t do. Cramer could have listened, but she instead chose to defy what she was told and put her all into proving them wrong.
“I remember in first grade, I had a not-so-great teacher,” Cramer said. “They were the opposite of everything I want to be as an educator. From there, I worked my tail off to be a stronger student. It was the best thing for me and a negative experience turned positive.”
Cramer harnessed perseverance early on, but the compassion she has shown to students since beginning as an educator at Paramount in 2004 was honed through another life challenge.
While Cramer’s first love was softball, an unexpected illness and becoming her mother’s caretaker in early adulthood led her from aspirations of collegiate athletics to the proximity of Western Michigan University, where she discovered her passion for education.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English while obtaining certifications in early childhood education, elementary education, and elementary and middle school science. This combination of experience in the classroom and dedication to behaving with care makes for a unique approach to providing an environment where students know they can overcome anything.
Cramer also went on to earn her Master of Science Education from Walden University. Growing her knowledge, Cramer received an elementary and secondary administrator certificate from Cornerstone University.
The wealth of education Cramer has built will help her pass on knowledge, perseverance, and compassion with her staff. She is excited to continue coaching, a skill she crafted while serving as Paramount’s Dean of Young Fives through Second Grade from 2018-2024.
She’s also driven by her passion as a mother of two to always set a positive example, something she hopes to emulate for her students, too. Cramer gets out of bed and wants to provide a daily example, using the perseverance and compassion she’s shown her whole life.
“I want to show my daughters that they can overcome anything,” Cramer said. “I want to show that to my students, too. They come in the building with their own traumas. There is always going to be something trying to stop us, but it’s about how we respond to that.”
Quick Facts
- When it’s time for a vacation, one spot stands out for Principal Cramer: her family’s off-the-grid cottage in Canada. She said the lakeshore property is a favorite for her entire extended family.
- Principal Cramer enjoys hiking, exercising, and bike riding. She said engaging with her daughters in any activity is what she loves most.
- She loves to read books, and The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is a standout read for Principal Cramer.
- You’d never be able to guess it because she never wears it, but Principal Cramer’s favorite color is purple.
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About Paramount Charter Academy
Paramount Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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