Kristen Menzies is hoping to make a positive impact on the MFS community during her tenure at the school this fall as the Grade 3 Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Thus far, she has been most impressed with the positive energy that radiates throughout the campus.
“Everyone is so friendly!” said Kristen. “Normally, I would say what I love most about my work is how rewarding teaching is, but I have also really enjoyed getting to know and learn from my colleagues. I have truly felt welcomed and supported by everyone. It’s wonderful how the students and faculty are so happy to be at school.”
Kristen herself has been at home in a school setting and in the classroom since she volunteered for various programs as teacher’s assistant in high school. Proving to be a formative experience for her, she fell in love with teaching and never had any second thoughts about entering the education field since then.
She went on to study at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, where she graduated in 2011 magna cum laude with a B.A. in Elementary Education. Not long after, Kristen began her career at independent schools in Miami. She first taught fifth grade at Sunset Preparatory Elementary School and, following that, was the Technology and Keyboarding Teacher for Grades 1-5 at Alexander Montessori School. Kristen’s final year in Miami, she was the second grade teacher at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Day School.
When Kristen moved to the Philadelphia area with her husband a year ago, she brought her skills to The Philadelphia School, where she worked with kindergarteners in their afterschool enrichment program. Kristen then joined the team at MFS to fill in for the duration of Elizabeth Pei’s maternity leave.
Kristen, her husband Graham, and their cocker-spaniel, Zoe, love being outdoors, going for long walks, hikes, and bike rides. She also greatly enjoys baking, reading, and golfing.