Leading Our Littlest Learners: A Spotlight On Kristyn Migliori

Kristyn Migliori is many things – a former homeschool mom, an avid reader, a lover of lazy mornings, and a huge advocate of family time. Her journey with Visions goes back nearly thirteen years, fresh off a multiple subjects teaching credential and an AMS credential in Montessori early childhood education, homeschooling her three children in Visions’ Home School Academy. Fast forward, Kristyn is about to complete her 5th year working at Visions, and although educating homeschool students looks a little different now, Kristyn’s mission remains the same.

“Looking at each student individually and designing their educational journey around their strengths and needs of support is a luxury we have at Visions,” she shares. “We have a lot of students who think outside the box, learn in a different way, and may have needs that have not been met in a traditional school.”

As an “out-of-the-box” learner herself, Kristyn understands the importance of an education tailored to each student’s unique learning style. Education is not one-size-fits-all, and as a Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), Kristyn taps into her own innate ways of learning – questioning the status quo (something for which she credits her grandparents), exploring open-ended questions, and kinesthetic learning – to support Visions’ youngest scholars.

“Student success is at the heart of everything we do. Serving 265 TK students and their families and over 100 teachers at Visions, I offer staff and family partner presentations around the new TK learning foundations and child development, and have specifically created TK-only events and field trips,” Kristyn shares. “Our staff and TK families work together with creativity and passion, making them some of the most inspiring advocates in education. I maintain an open-door policy and enjoy hearing from all stakeholders with support they need, advocating and collaborating with them. We are constantly growing as a community!”

With an emphasis on play, movement, hands-on activities, and social-emotional learning, Kristyn guides our TK students through the very beginning stages of their educational journeys, nurturing both learning and life skills.

“Early education is a time of rapid growth, not only in academics but also in social-emotional development,” Kristyn shares. “They are developing skills that will support their success in school and beyond.”

A Student Herself

Although she’s settled as a credentialed teacher here at Visions, Kristyn hasn’t lost her own love of learning, recently completing her Master’s in Education Leadership and School Development while concurrently earning her Preliminary Administrative Credential.

For her admin credential, Kristyn developed a Community of Practice (COP) educational focus on phonics. Over an eight week period, she worked with students and families to implement phonics practice, analyzing the challenges, successes, and strategies to support our students.

For her master’s work, Kristyn designed an action research project titled “The Effects of Mentoring Supports for Transitional Kindergarten Teacher Candidates in a School-Based Compliance Program”, working with eight teachers over seven weeks to study the types and effects of mentoring. She also completed a synthesized literature review titled “Designing a Mentoring Program for Educators New to Transitional Kindergarten in Nonclassroom-based Schools” that supports her work here at Visions.

“This 18-month journey has definitely been challenging,” Kristyn admits. “I have gained enormous respect for those in administration. Listening to colleagues in various roles of leadership has opened my eyes to the importance of relationship building and supporting those you serve. It isn’t an easy job and great care and consideration needs to be taken with every decision. My goal is to put the student first with each decision or recommendation I express.”

Although the journey didn’t come without hardships, Kristyn sees how all of her hard work will ultimately benefit our communities and continue Visions’ mission of serving students.

“My family has endured not having my attention during nights and weekends in order to allow me to chase my dreams in leadership and school development. Without their love, understanding, and towing my line when I had pressing academic matters, I would not be where I am right now,” says Kristyn. “Visions has also been exceptionally supportive of my professional endeavors. Teachers in my community have joined me for a COP on phonics. School leadership and development interview questions with Senior Director of Instruction Jennifer Morrison, Chief Operations Officer Tom Tafoya, and Chief Academic Officer Micah Studer were not only accepted, but thoughtfully attended. Weekly meetings with my immediate administrative team, Principal Heidi Perry and Vice Principal Hallie Ochoa, have given us the opportunity to learn and grow to create a stronger program for our youngest learners.”