We are excited to feature Kristyn Akin, who recently joined Hoosic Valley as a Math teacher. After many years at a school she loved, Kristyn made the decision to transition to Hoosic Valley for her family, and she quickly felt welcomed into the community. “Hoosic Valley assured me this was the right decision,” she shared, reflecting on the support she received from the faculty, staff, students, and administration. Kristyn expressed her gratitude to colleagues Mary Suite and Val Guilianelle, who took her under their wings and helped make her transition smooth.
One particularly meaningful moment for Kristyn came with the unexpected addition of Geometry to her course load. Though initially overwhelming, the sight of familiar faces—her former Algebra students—made all the difference. “It is such an honor to get to share this time with them and grow together in a new curriculum,” she said. Kristyn feels fortunate to continue teaching these students and sharing in their progress, particularly through the Pre-Algebra to Algebra program. She loves promoting a passion for algebra in students who may not have found that interest yet.
Kristyn’s approach to teaching is deeply rooted in her own experiences as a student. As a junior in high school, she struggled with math and was told by a teacher that she would either “get it” or not. This comment left her feeling defeated, but with help from previous teachers, friends, and hard work, she eventually succeeded. “Every student is able to ‘get it,’ there is no ‘not,'” Kristyn emphasized. She believes in finding the connection that works for each student and helping them discover their own motivation to succeed.
Kristyn reminds her students that making connections and building a support system is key to overcoming challenges. “This can consist of teachers, support staff, guidance counselors, administrators, peers, and family,” she shared. Kristyn encourages students to reach out when things get tough, knowing that the right support can change the course of their educational journey.
Her message is one of resilience: “You can do hard things. No one else can do it for you, but you do have their support. Find your system and put your all into it, and the payoff will come.”
