Teacher Feature-Kristin
ICI got in touch with Kristin, a passionate teacher in northern California. What to know more about Kristin? Read below!
Name: Kristin S.
Hometown: Prescott, Arizona
Current Location: The Bay Area (aka San Francisco), California
Education: Northern Arizona University 2007
Major: Advertising- “…which is ironic because I am now pretty dang good at selling a love of education to my kids!”
How long have you been teaching?
“I taught pre-school in college for 3 years. I taught twice in Kenya, 5 months total. Then I was an au pair in Norway and nanny in New York. Now this is my 1st year teaching in a public school in America.”
I understand that you are teaching in a pretty unique situation now in California. Could you tell us a little bit about that?
“Yes. I am in a program called ‘Teach for America’.” [According to TeachforAmerica.org, the program is basically a two-year program for recent college graduates, placing them in rural and public schools in hopes of closing the achievement gap.]
“The reason I chose TFA, says Kristin, is because of my passion for education for underprivileged children after I taught in Kenya. My long-term goal is to learn how to be an awesome teacher in America and get the training, and then apply it, so that one day I can open my own school in Kenya.”
Open a school in Kenya? Really?!
“I feel like that is what God has called me to do! When I was in Kenya, and I fell in love with my students and then saw what a poor education they were getting, I knew I had to do whatever was in my power to give them the education they deserve. And it is within my power to make great change! I am currently in the process of applying through Africa Inland Missions to return full-term in 2 years when I complete TFA. ”
What’s your favorite part of teaching?
“My favorite part about teaching is how excited they get when they learn something for the first time, like when the light bulb lights up (remember this is Kindergarten)! And I also love that if I tell them something, they believe me… So I can convince them to be excited about ANYTHING—like homework, cleaning up, sharing. And really the coolest thing about being a teacher is that you have the power to change the world through each of those children who you get the privilege to influence. Being a Christian, I get to show them a little bit of light every day by loving them and believing in them, and they will change the world!”
That’s an interesting teaching philosophy. Could you tell us more about that?
“I…think of myself as a shepherd… and I have been praying a lot and reading the verses about being a shepherd and Jesus saying he is the good shepherd. And when Nathaniel talks to David in 2 Sam 12, I use that when I think of how I want to teach to my kids…teaching to the heart.”
Comments to Kristin? Send an e-mail to Justine@instituteforculturalinfluence.com and we’ll pass on the message!
