Bio: An educator for the last 23 years, Kristen Nan’s passion for building relationships with her students, colleagues, and community continues to ignite change for the better! Kristen has served as an emotional support teacher, learning support teacher, and classroom teacher in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to her current role as a cyber 2nd-3rd-4th grade teacher, Kristen is an author and national speaker. With keeping a future-ready mindset at the forefront for every child, she has been recognized as an award-winning educator for innovative practices. Kristen’s book, “ALL IN, Taking a Gamble in Education” is co-authored by Dr. Jacie Maslyk and focuses on the importance of risk-taking, chances, and building relationships between teachers and administrators.
Website: kristennan.com (on my website you will find my book, podcasts, achievements, and a glance into my classrooms)
1. What is your educational background and what positions have you held?
I graduated from Slippery Rock University in the spring of 1995 with a degree in both Elementary and Special Education. My journey has consisted of:
Student Teaching experience in Ireland through the SRU program
Special Education
Emotional support teacher
3-4 Learning Support teacher
Regular Education
3rd grade
2nd-3rd-4th Cyber Instructor (created by my district to meet the needs of our students during the pandemic and is my current position at Hopewell Area School District in Aliquippa, PA)
Apple Certified
Google Certified: Level 1 Certification
2. Name one SRU experience, in general or specific to the field, that you will never forget and explain why.
Honestly, my memories at the ROCK far surpass anything that I could have dreamt of for myself. From the incredible academic foundation I received to serve the last 23 years as an educator, Greek Life as a Delta Zeta and serving on the Panhellenic Council, countless opportunities to serve in leadership roles on campus, and the ongoing support that I had from each of my professors, it was so much more than an education to say the least. I think back often to my experience overseas working with the students, teachers, headmasters, and beautiful people in Ireland (keep in mind the intensity of carrying credits, planning for interviews, and then going through the process of narrowing down 500 applicants to 18 to then be accepted). But the one experience that was a true game-changer for me was when I was challenged to create an interactive board in one of my methods classes, on a very humble college student budget. I decided that the best way to go about it was to be relatable and engaging while holding true to the content that I was trying to teach. I chose to teach a young audience about toxic household items that may attract a child’s attention. Through the process, I decided that Santa himself was someone that kids naturally trust so I made him the focus of my board. From there, I had items that either had velcro attached to stick to Santa (the good things we can consume) or ones without velcro that ultimately would not stick as a sign that you should not consume. Those items needed to have a Mr. Yuck sticker placed on them. In the end, I was afforded the opportunity to compete at Penn State University against many other pre-service teachers from around the state. When I walked in I was in absolute awe of the beautiful masterpieces lining the tables from room to room. After displaying my work and interviewing with countless judges, I was beside myself to receive the first prize placement all around for creativity. I was handed a small medallion and a fifty-dollar bill, which was more money than I had ever been handed before, let alone won! It was the reassurance that I needed to know I could do anything I set my mind to and the right amount of fire lit to go after it and make it happen!
3. Name an SRU faculty that had a positive influence on you and explain why.
Lynne Swisher, Greek Affairs/Student Advisor was one of the most unique individuals I had been privileged to work with at SRU. She offered inspiration, consistency, push-back, a safe place to talk if need be, goal-setting pep-talks, an open forum for creativity, and boundaries needed to balance it all! She was a class act in all ways and truly gave me the outlet that I was in need of to help make my experience well-rounded.
4. What initially peaked your interest in pursuing a degree in education?
Truthfully, I didn’t like school. I had a lot of distractions in my home life and felt that due to my own personal circumstances, I was unable to gain the same opportunities as others. I was determined to reframe the 12-year educational experience of a child’s life to one of empowerment, not restraint. Not only should a child have the proper support to find their voice in their learning, but they need to be seen and heard to build on their own value and worth. Simply said, my interest wasn’t piqued, it was demanded!
5. What do you love most about teaching?
Everything! The fact that there are new ideas being created every day in our world and I am lucky enough to be at the center of it all! I literally love everything from the moment that they are walking down the hall ready for a new day, to their smiles and giggles over the silly things we do that “aren’t learning” as they may think. I love being able to connect with every child as they enter my door, and to know what they need to own their day. They each bring their own story with them and I try to give them the space to tell it. I love to see the sparkle in their eye as they make connections and those “lightbulb moments”! I love when I can create a space of trust where they are able to stretch their own thinking and begin to rely on themselves for the skills that they never realized they had. I love bringing real-world learning into their very real space, all while helping them build their own character so that they can give back and serve the world around them!
6. What makes a great teacher?
Wow, this is quite the question! I feel what makes a great teacher is one who is not only driven to learn but recognizes that it is a must to truly educate. One that is humble in knowledge and brilliant in heart. A leader from all facets of education that does not define themselves by a title. A great teacher is a person who recognizes they will never hold all of the answers, but that they are a key to the opportunity to find them. A great teacher is one who is brave enough to try and then steps out of the way! One who continues to grow with the sphere of education through podcasts, blogs, books, conferences, and by nurturing a professional learning network to support their students and self. Not only does a great teacher do this for their students and self, but for their colleagues and community as well. Finding the greatness in others will no doubt lead to being a great teacher!
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