About Kristine:
Before I became a teacher, I had a very successful business career. As a result of a very traumatic event in my life, I rethought what I wanted to do and what I could give to others. My husband, who was an active practicing attorney, died the day after my daughter was born. I sold my businesses to allow for more time with my daughter. I attended graduate studies in education initially because I was interested in how I could become a better mother.

Most importantly, I am the mother of a brilliant and beautiful 12 year old daughter, Jessica, who swims competitively, scored in the top 10% with a national Piano assessment by the London Academy of Music, loves cheerleading, and is a great kid!

I am also the owner of two very crazy dogs, Peanut (4 pounds, 4 months old Shih Tzu) and Julie (70 pounds, 8 years old Brittany Spaniel). I strongly believe that Peanut has a Napoleon complex because of all of the multiple attacks on Julie.

Our home is constantly filled with many animals. Our pond has at least 7 frogs, having once been in the classroom as tadpoles. Our two "male" dwarf hamsters were the proud parents, grandparents, etc. of 22 off-springs. (They have since been relocated to new homes). Our two "male" white finches laid 18 eggs, 4 of which we watched hatch. I spent a summer on Jupiter Island in Florida rescuing baby turtles and worked on developing legislation insuring their protection.

Thoughts on education:
Having had my own business for a number of years allows me a unique perspective as to the needs of the community at large. Prior even to the formal implementation of PBL, I knew of the necessity that students recognize learning as meaningful and purposeful. Most homework assignments include asking parents how they see applicability of a task in their daily routines.

I also have an extremely strong commitment to the idea that individuals are part of a larger community and it is a responsibility, not simply "nice thing to do," to give back and work with the community. This message transcends my entire curriculum.

I learn from my students everyday and enjoy reinventing myself as well. I strongly believe that many things that I do in the classroom are a result of what I like under the guise of what the students would like. Our class goes from intense conversations about the Middle East to building and watching ant farms. I consider it a success when students feel the classroom is theirs and I delight in the excitement in their eyes when they recognize a personal sense of accomplishment. In the scheme of things, what could be more important than working with children?

Click here to see sample problem-based learning task statements from Kristine's class (after viewing the pdf file, please click the back button on your browser to return to this page).

Below are some great examples of how Kristine has crafted educational opportunities for her students that allow meaningful, positive contact with adults and children outside the classroom:

• Most recently we participated in The Record's program "Remembering Our Past ... Planning Our Future." Students were asked to create artwork, poems or short writing pieces on the themes of "Looking Forward" and "Heroes" to help commemorate 9/11. The students' work was displayed in the Riverside Square Mall. The students also attended an opening ceremony at the Mall.

• The students and I worked to develop and implement a Character Education Program for the fifth grade in Old Tappan. This involved cooperative work with the Newspapers in Education Director at The Record, Cynthia Forester. As a result of my contact with her, I met the Secretary of State for New Jersey, DeForest B. Soaries, who accepted my invitation to the Charles De Wolf School where his V Free Program was implemented. This program became the springboard for the Character Education Program. Based upon his observations, we were one of five schools in New Jersey that he chose to honor for Character Education.
  
  
• During my second year in Old Tappan, we traveled to a daycare center at Social Services in Englewood, New Jersey. Our students brought a book with them as a holiday gift, and sat and read with the children there. We also served dinners at soup kitchens at Thanksgiving.
  
  
• The class attended and participated in a Mayor and Council meeting, after an initial address by the mayor in our classroom about the role of citizenship.
  
  
• In addition, parents have been an active ingredient in the learning process. One parent presented information on the Dominican Republic as a result of having relatives in that country. Another parent, Roseanne Colletti of Channel 4 News, worked with the students on presentation skills.