About
Kirstin E., MA. Ed.
Florida and Washington State certified English teacher, grades 6-12
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Florida endorsed with international experience in Japan and Belgium.
College Board trained Advanced Placement (AP) instructor
Autism advocate and peer educator
Specialized training in college entrance essay and standardized test prep
Rated “highly effective” and “innovative” on the Marzo growth-focused scale.
Background
I started my career teaching English at a National Blue Ribbon High School in California in the mid-1990s. It was an extraordinary community of students, parents, and staff, and I came to appreciate the complex team effort that goes into serving students well.
As graduate school and internships took my family around the U.S., I taught in a large rural high school, an all-girl independent school in Massachusetts, and a vibrant community college in Maryland.
My service on school technology committees caught the eye of a recruiter for a pioneering virtual school company, and it was thrilling to see k12 (now Stride) through its development and launch. It was a deep dive into creative, impactful approaches to virtual education that continues to this day.
Our family's move to Belgium for several years gave us the opportunity to pursue a hybrid homeschooling schedule for our son in cooperation with the international school. Having worked as an instructional designer for k12/Stride, I was excited to try some of the creative virtual schooling approaches I’d observed there—and we loved it!
Beyond academic success and extraordinary travel experience, my son gained an appreciation for finding programs that matched his goals. When we returned to the U.S., he enrolled in a STEM focused middle school program and off-site computer science program followed by an arts high school that allowed him to pursue advanced placement and dual enrollment studies. I gained strong bonds with our fellow homeschooling families and an even deeper understanding that quality learning comes in many forms.
Stateside, I returned to the high school classroom where I embraced teaching Advanced Placement students and English language learners. Early teaching experience in Japan, volunteering with the Literacy Council, and my own language studies have given me a lifelong passion for helping students of all levels make meaningful, measurable progress toward their goals.
Brave New (AI) World
Your family and mine are now navigating the world with AI, a pervasive technology whose tendrils appear in more aspects of life each day. In the academic sphere, temptation has never been greater to allow a machine to do our thinking for us. In many cases, it's difficult to avoid AI responses as they're served up front-and-center the moment we begin to investigate a topic. Schools across the country are continually shaping policy,* weighing the benefits of these emergent systems against the risks to students' cognitive development. As a longtime technophile, I default to embracing new advancements. However, in the English classroom, I've observed that it is more important than ever to encourage students to read, discuss, and develop their own perspectives without AI intrusion.
There is endless joy, pride, and creativity in reading and discussing literature. The time between reluctance and that joy is happily short-lived when students connect with a teacher willing to listen and nurture their unique voices.
I welcome the opportunity to be that connection for my students.
*More information on AI use, including the College Board policy, can be found here.
Smooth Schooling
I grew up sailing with my father who used to say that sailing only looks peaceful from the shore. Of course, I have plenty of memories of him reclining behind the helm, icy drink in hand. What he meant was that the serene moments—and absolutely exhilarating ones—are earned with know-how, preparation, and a good crew. Each day finds us on a new adventure, and with those elements in place we can enjoy the journey.
Your initial consultation is free and can be done via phone, FaceTime, Zoom, or MS Teams. You can schedule a consultation here, and we can start moving you quickly and happily to your goals.
