Ever since Kristin’s fifth grade teacher Mr. Guarraia made the mistake of telling her that she had a gift for creative writing, she has been inflicting her “gift” on anyone who can read. Her early works included the epic tale of a volcano-dwelling mermaid (named, appropriately, Lavaina) and an insightful tale of college life, drawn from her vast experience as a seventh-grader. Unfortunately, the literary community failed to see the genius of these works, and many years passed before her writing reached a wider audience than the refrigerator door.

Despite this rough start, Kristin is now a published essayist who has been sharing her love of literature and writing with high school students for more than a decade. She received her BA as an Honors Scholar in English from the University of Connecticut in 1996, graduating Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. In 1998, she earned her MA in secondary education from Sacred Heart University. She has worked as an English teacher, tutor, and writing coach since 1997 and earned National Board Certification in English/Language Arts for Adolescents and Young Adults in 2002 (www.nbpts.org). She is one of those crazy teachers who truly loves working with teenagers and looks forward to going to work. In addition to her work as a high school teacher, she has tutored and worked as a writing coach since 1994. She also taught a summer reading course for John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth and has worked as a freelance editor for a number of projects.

Her work with adults includes being the New Faculty Coordinator and English Department Chair at her current school, running professional development workshops, presenting at conferences, and working as a mentor for new teachers.

Kristin is a New England native who drove across the country with her mother and two cats in 2005 to begin a new life in California. She currently lives and teaches in Los Angeles with her beloved husband and furry family. Her online column “Little but Fierce” explores the joys, absurdities, and dilemmas of being a teacher.