Kristina grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and moved to Aspen in 2026 after several years in Brooklyn. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Child/Human Development and Cognitive Brain Science from Tufts University and a master’s degree in K–12 School Counseling from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Before joining ACDS, Kristina taught Fourth Grade at the Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn and worked as a counselor at Brooklyn Collaborative Studies. Her teaching has also taken her well beyond the classroom, including summers working with students in Greece and Switzerland.
What led you to a career in education?
When I was a kid I loved being in school so much that even when I was sick I would beg to go. I just loved the environment – it felt like an extension of home. I was confused why most adults chose not to be in schools. Why wouldn’t you want to be surrounded by positive energy, play, novelty, exploration, and going outside?! I never want to leave school!
Your favorite place in the world?
During the summer I teach at a school in Leysin, Switzerland. It truly feels like a fairy tale! Kids and teachers come from all over the world and we spend our time living within a tiny radius, sharing our cultures and exploring the mountains, all the while becoming so close.
Where would you be if you weren’t in Aspen?
Traveling around the world! My goal is to spend a year traveling from continent to continent. For now, though, I love the flow of the school year. Starting with a new group of students, building a classroom dynamic, and forming such strong bonds and memories before the year is over. I can’t stay away from the classroom for too long.