Daily Inspiration: Meet Krysten Haas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Krysten Haas.

Hi Krysten, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I did most of my growing up from 7th grade on in Hill City KS with my mom, dad, and brother, which is a great part of who I am today. It is party of my families history, my family received part of the free land to farm during the homestead act in 1862 and my family still owns land there. Being in a small town truly taught me what a real community looks like which is how I look at life today. I look at friends, co-workers, fellow church members as family and people I want to take care of if they need anything. I was blessed to be able to have support so I could work hard and get through college with a bachelors in early childhood education. Working through college taught me how to continue on even when I did not think I could. I also started getting migraines while I was a junior in college that would keep me in bed and learning how to deal with that while continuing my education taught me endurance. I always knew since fifth grade that I wanted to be a teacher. I am a fourth generation teacher on my dads side of the family and feel proud to be part of education. I have been a para-educator, teacher assistant, family advocate, supervisor, and lead teacher. Going through all of these rolls has helped me be the educator I am today to see and understand what its like being in other roles to help when needed. I have a husband who is my best friend and partner God has blessed me with someone who I can rely on in all areas and knows what I need before I am aware of it most the time. With each child my 8 year old daughter and 3 year old son has shown me its okay to slow down and enjoy what God has given me. Which brings me to the biggest part of where I am today is because of my relationship with Christ. I was lucky enough to grow up in a household where both parents raised us to believe in Christ and raise us in church. God has shown me again and again that no matter what life can throw at us or what is part of our life plan I can always have peace in knowing God is in charge. He has shown me through parents and a brother that shows up even if they do not fully believe in what I am doing. A husband who loves me when I am broken and needing care. He has given me two children and one on the way. A church that felt like family and a supportive community from day one. A job that has so many challenges but continues to show me I am where I am supposed to be and I have never felt stronger or more confident as an educator than I have through the past three years which have been the toughest teaching years I have experienced.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If it was a smooth road then I know I am not on the right path. It is through struggles that we grown, learn, and become a better and stronger person. Through life I have lost two grandmothers, a grandfather, and an aunt. Dealing with migraines as part of my life and still do not have an answer I just have ways to help deal and manage. Moving to Kansas City in the fall of 2021. Buyin a beautiful house and remodeling it for the last three years. Being a mother and full time educator.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I teach 3-5 year olds at woodland early learning head start. My classroom is one of two in the building that provide families with an extended day classroom. This allows working families to have their children in our school till 5:30 at no charge. Head Start provides free education to prepare students for kindergarten and sets the foundation for the rest of their educational careers. I focus on teaching the fundamentals of emotional health. Helping students be in check with how their feeling and how to help themselves calm will help them in every area. Also teaching parents the tools and techniques to continue this at home. Doing home visits is a special part of Head Start. Twice a school year we go into the homes of all our students, we have 20 students. In two days my assistant’s and I drive around kansas city, meet with 20 families, fill out forms, and try to make time to eat and go to the bathroom. My classroom has students with IEPs and 12 out of the 20 families are spanish speaking which can be a challenge as well I am very lucky that I have a full time assistant with a superpower of being bilingual in spanish and english. Connecting with families is a huge part in students education. I am always checking in with families at drop off and pick up to be able to best help the family and help the student. I also have a family advocate which connects with families and provides resources as needed. Being able to work and be in communication with my team which includes two full time assistants, 1 part time afternoon assistant, a coach, a family advocate, building supervisor, school nurse, special education teacher and her team, school secretary all make for a great education team to help students and families. Receiving teacher of the year in my building this year has been interesting. I always do my best and continue to feel and know that I can do more. This includes following the students lead in doing project work, we did an entire project on pipes last year because the students were asking questions and wanted to know more about pipes and they made a shower in our classroom. Doing more also includes wiping off counters and seats in the beak room when I am making my coffee so staff do not have sit in crumbs left from the day before. Giving a little something to someone in my team when I can tell their having a rough week, I do not need to know whats going on but i do know how it feels to be seen. I am also meeting once every two weeks with a early childhood specialist who listens and helps direct me to answer my own challenges going on and has given me even more knowledge to know how to help kids and their families grow.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I was so quiet. I am two years older than my brother but he was always the leader and I was happy to let him be in charge. I was and am still stubborn if I did not want to do something I was not going to do it. I loved playing alone and coming up with stories playing with my barbies and dolls. This went into enjoying to journal and write, I used to write short stories, I have a big imagination and would day dream a lot. My mom instilled in me a love for reading and both my parents instilled in both my brother and I a yearning to learn and continue to learn. I grew up being spoiled in being able to connect with my parents as much as they had time for, if my dad was hunting or fishing he would take us. No matter what my mom was doing if we wanted to join or help she let us. We were very involved with church and my parents friends were always more of family. I was born in Kearney NE and lived there until 7th grade. We had no family there, my dads family which included his parents and one sister lived in KS. My moms family which included two parents, one sister and her two children lived in VA. Which we were spoiled enough to fly to visit once every few years and went to the beach and visted washington D.C.. We went on a few long trips in the summer with my moms family in a R.V. going across America. School wise I struggled, I always had good grades but I really worked at it. We did not have much money growing up but my parents always provided what we needed including tutors. Because I always struggled but was quiet and followed the rules I never had bad reports from teachers but also did not have good reports. When we moved to Hill City KS I was involved in cross country, cheerleading, basketball, track, theater, and youth group. Even though I was quiet I enjoyed being social.