With over fifteen years of teaching and school administrative experience, Kristen spent nine years teaching middle school where she pioneered a School-to-School program connecting her students with students in rural East Africa.

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In 2005, Kristen was awarded a scholastic grant and became the first Westerner to live in Sauri, Kenya. 

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Kristen wrote a middle-grade book, A Calf Named Brian Higgins, based on her experience living in Kenya. It was published in 2018 by Red Chair Press and was awarded the gold medal from Literary Titan, Nautilus, and Northern Lights.

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Her other adventures include hiking the Himalayas in Nepal and canoeing along the Mekong River in Cambodia on Where There Be Dragons educator program scholarships; running the New York City Marathon; bicycling the Boston-New York AIDS Ride; and swimming the Sharkfest Swim.

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Kristen's beloved and hilarious dog, Thelma, loves joining her at the beach, on hikes, and running 5K fundraisers. Thelma can be spotted sporting her sunglasses on roadtrips! 

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In 2021, Kristen launched her company, On the Ball Tutoring LLC, where she works as a learning specialist tutoring students in the areas of academics and executive functioning. Kristen holds degrees from Boston College and Teachers College, Columbia University. She has teacher certifications in Connecticut and New York.

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Beginning this fall, Kristen is excited to teach the First Year Writing Seminar course at Sacred Heart University!