1.Q:What is your name? How Many years have you been teaching at PCH? What courses do you teach?
A:My Name is Kristin Ream – I have been teaching at PCH for 8 years (11 years overall). Over the past 8 years I have taught Biology, ESOL Biology, Earth Systems, Principles of Chemistry, and Chemistry.
- Q:What inspired you to be a teacher?
A:I have always wanted to be a teacher since I was little. It was my go to game to play with my little sister growing up. I thought I wanted to be an elementary teacher until I took chemistry sophomore year and advanced weight lifting junior and senior year.
My chemistry teacher was unlike any teacher I have ever had… he cared so much about his students. He used relationship building as his classroom management tool more than any teacher I have had in the past. Because I felt safe and seen in his class, I wanted to work hard and challenge myself, even if I knew I could fail… because if I failed, I knew that it would be okay (because Mr. Peters had my back). As a scientist, you need to be okay with learning from making mistakes. I realized the more mistakes I made, the more I learned. I did not have to be perfect!
Growing up, I have always been an athlete. In high school I played golf in the fall (along with club soccer at Gallagher), basketball in the winter, and soccer in the spring. Sports were always such a big part of my life. Over the course of my athletic career, I have been influenced by many coaches. One coach that inspired me to be a teacher was my weight lifting coach junior year. My freshman year, I had a stand out season… There was a lot of pressure my sophomore year and I did not perform as well. This took a toll on my mentally. Coach Edwards junior year reminded me that at the end of the day sports were supposed to be fun and if you worked hard, and tried your best… What more could you ask for? Along with his advice, he helped me get physically stronger and faster. This new confidence allowed me to have a stand out junior and senior year of high school girls soccer. My jersey is retired at Rockwood Summit and I am in the Hall of Fame. I am not sure I would have achieved these things without Coach Edward’s help. I knew that I not only wanted to be a teacher but I wanted to be a coach as well and help athletes through their high school journey… just like Coach Edwards.
Written in the Post-Dispatch June 16, 2010
Kristin Bright, Rockwood Summit
Forward, Senior
Notes: The Suburban South Conference Player of the Year, Bright makes the step up after securing third-team honors as a junior. Despite drawing plenty of defensive attention, Bright finished the season with 20 goals, including nine game-winners, and nine assists. A Central Missouri recruit, Bright boosted her confidence and her game with offseason weight training.
- Q.What is something unique to Parkway Central that you’ve enjoyed while teaching here
A.One unique aspect of Parkway Central that I’ve truly enjoyed is the diversity within our school community. It creates a rich and inclusive environment where both students and staff can learn from each other’s varied backgrounds and perspectives. Additionally, the abundance of resources available here allows us to provide a high-quality educational experience and support innovative teaching practices. Lastly, the focus on professional growth is outstanding, with opportunities to attend workshops, collaborate with colleagues, and continuously improve as an educator. These elements together make Parkway Central a truly exceptional place to teach and grow.
- Q.What’s your favorite part of teaching?
A. My favorite part about teaching is building meaningful connections with my students and watching them grow, both academically and personally. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the moment when a concept clicks for a student or when they feel empowered to take on a challenge they once thought was impossible. I also love fostering a love for learning and curiosity, helping students develop the skills and confidence they’ll carry with them beyond the classroom. Teaching gives me the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact on young lives, which is truly fulfilling.
- Q.I know you also coach; talk about coaching, your favorite part about coaching, how you got into it, what sports you coach, challenges coaching etc…
A.Coaching is an extension of teaching for me, and it’s something I’m deeply passionate about. I’ve had the privilege of coaching girls soccer and girls golf at Central, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to help students develop not only their athletic skills but also their character, teamwork, and resilience.
My favorite part of coaching is witnessing the growth and transformation in athletes—whether it’s mastering a new skill, achieving a personal best, or learning to overcome adversity as a team. Those moments of triumph, big or small, are what make coaching so special.
I first got into coaching because sports have always been a big part of my life and it was hard for me to step away from sports coming out of college. It’s been a journey that has challenged me in many ways, especially when it comes to balancing different personalities, keeping players motivated, and managing the inevitable ups and downs of competition.
Despite the challenges, coaching has taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, patience, and adaptability, and it’s something I truly enjoy doing alongside teaching.
6.Q. I know you also sponsor Dance Marathon, talk about it- how it went this year, what challenges you had sponsoring it, how it was meaningful for you, etc…
A.Last year, I wanted to take on the role of DM sponsor for a few reasons. One, I would not take on the role without Mrs. Hewitt, she is amazing to work with and something like Dance Marathon that takes a lot of time with plenty of moving pieces… I couldn’t do it without her. Two, taking on this role pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I wanted a new challenge at Central. This new challenge allowed me to work with a new group of students and colleagues (boy did I learn a lot through the process!!). I am glad that I took on the challenge :). Three, I wanted to be a part of raising money for Children’s Miracle Network, what a great cause and organization!!
- Q.What does being named teacher of the year mean to you? (Talk about how you felt about winning it)
A.Being named Teacher of the Year is an incredible honor and truly humbling. It means so much to know that my efforts to inspire, support, and educate my students are recognized and valued by my peers, students, and the community. This recognition is not just about me but also a reflection of the amazing team I work with, the supportive environment at Parkway Central, and the students who make every day rewarding and meaningful.
To me, it’s a reminder of the impact teachers can have on shaping lives and a motivation to continue growing, learning, and striving to give my best every single day. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on how far I’ve come and to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me on this journey.
8.Q. If you had to shout out one or multiple people at PCH who helped you this year, who would it be and why?
A.If I had to give a shout-out to people at Parkway Central who helped me this year, it would definitely be Mark Bruder, my co-teacher, the entire science department, the Admin team, my soccer people (Brian Adam and Todd Beffa) and my golf people (Jeff Rogers). Their support, encouragement, and willingness to collaborate have made such a difference in my teaching experience. Their kindness and dedication inspire me daily, and I’m so grateful to have them as part of my journey this year.
Kathy Burnett, Beth Karfs, and Brian Adam have been incredible mentors, always offering advice, feedback, and a listening ear whenever I’ve needed it. They have gone above and beyond to ensure I have the resources and tools necessary to succeed in the classroom (and on the field), and their guidance has been invaluable.
