Kristin Martin
Dakar,Senegal
Summary
Elementary educator with 17 years of experience teaching grades 1–4 across international and U.S. public school settings, including PYP schools. Skilled in creating inquiry-driven learning experiences that foster student agency, critical thinking, reflection, and action. Brings additional leadership experience as a Math Coordinator, new teacher mentor, leader of vertical alignment, and represented several schools on director/superintendent advisories.
Overview
1
1
Certification
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Fourth Grade Teacher
International School of Dakar
Dakar, Senegal
01.2025 - Current
- Planned and delivered PYP units of inquiry integrating research, writing, and hands-on learning around central ideas and transdisciplinary themes
- Fostered student agency through inquiry-based learning, thinking routines, student choice, reflection, and opportunities to connect learning to meaningful action
- Collaborated with grade-level and specialist teachers in art, music, PE, and French to create connected learning experiences across subject areas
- Used assessment for, as, and of learning to monitor student progress, provide meaningful feedback, and guide instructional planning
- Built strong partnerships with families through learning journals, Toddle communication, and student-led conferences
Elementary School Math Coordinator
International School of Dakar
Dakar, Senegal
08.2025 - Current
- Conducted an elementary mathematics materials inventory and procured instructional resources to meet schoolwide needs
- Led the adoption and implementation of the Singapore Math curriculum, including professional development for elementary teachers
- Modeled effective mathematics instruction, conducted classroom observations, and delivered actionable feedback to strengthen teaching practice
- Analyzed schoolwide elementary mathematics assessment data to identify trends, prioritize instructional needs, and inform intervention planning
- Collaborated with teachers to develop standards-aligned mathematics unit plans and instructional resources
Second Grade Teacher
Little River Elementary School (LCPS)
South Riding, VA, USA
08.2019 - 06.2024
- Planned literacy and mathematics lessons through workshop model while adapting instruction through individualized playlists to support school improvement goal and meet needs of all students
- Led team through implementation of science of reading instructional updates including UFLI Phonics Program and LETRS methods
- Built classroom community through morning meetings while introducing new SEL curriculum
- Designed and introduced a schoolwide monthly student goal-setting process across the elementary school
- Planned and taught with co-teachers to support EL students and students with IEPs
First Grade Teacher
Ikego Elementary School DODEA
Zushi, Japan
08.2017 - 06.2019
- Organized instruction through the workshop model for literacy and mathematics
- Implemented new standards for literacy and science, supporting new curriculum for literacy and science instruction
- Introduced number talks to my grade level and the early years grades
- Nurtured a sense of classroom community through morning meetings
- Incorporated quarterly student goal setting and reflection and continually assessed and communicated with parents weekly
Third Grade Teacher
International School Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand
08.2014 - 06.2016
- Collaboratively planned literacy and mathematics instruction through workshop model
- Implemented new mathematics standards and taught through investigative approach
- Built partnerships to strengthen communication and collaboration skills across teams in the elementary school
- Continually assessed students through informal and formal methods and organized monthly goal setting
- Communicated weekly with parents through class blog
Second Grade Team Leader
Frankfurt International School
Frankfurt, Germany
08.2006 - 06.2008
- Created weekly meeting agenda and led meetings
- Planned and designed PYP curriculum through backward design with team collaboration
- Supported team goal setting and professional development planning
- Represented second grade team during leadership meetings
- Made proactive changes to support smoother transition from primary school setting, led parent transition meetings
Second Grade Teacher
Frankfurt International School
Frankfurt, Germany
08.2005 - 06.2008
- Organized instruction through guided inquiry aligned with PYP framework
- Led Writer’s Workshop implementation for 2nd grade team
- Built collaborative learning centers to support multiple intelligences
- Fostered classroom community and included student reflection in daily learning
- Completed ongoing informal and formal student assessment and communicated weekly with parents through newsletters
Education
Master of Arts - Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV, USA05-2013
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Western Illinois University
Moline, IL, USA12-2002
Associates of Arts - Elementary Education
Black Hawk College
Moline, IL, USA06-2000
Certification
- Elementary Teacher Certification, Virginia Department of Education
- Middle Grades Endorsements, Virginia Department of Education, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Science
Recent Leadership Roles
International School of Dakar
- Elementary School Math Coordinator
- Represented the elementary school on the Director's Advisory Committee
Little River Elementary School
- Served on interview panels for new school dean, gifted teacher, and new team members
- Teacher Mentor for First Year Teachers
- Supervised Student Teachers
- Represented school on LCPS Superintendent's Teacher Advisory Council
- Represented Loudoun elementary teachers on LCPS Elementary Educator's Cabinet
- Led Vertical Alignment Committee
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- LETRS 1 and 2 Training, Number Talks Conference, Cathy Fosnot Context for Learning, Pam Harper Looking for Learning, Erma Anderson Math Training, Dan Feigelson Practical Punctuation, Matt Glover Writing Conference, Bill and Ochan Powell Inclusion Conference
Previous Teaching Experience
- First Grade Teacher, Ball's Bluff Elementary School, Leesburg, VA, USA
- First Grade Teacher, Lyle Elementary School, Kewanee, IL, USA
Timeline
Elementary School Math Coordinator
International School of Dakar
08.2025 - Current
Fourth Grade Teacher
International School of Dakar
01.2025 - Current
Second Grade Teacher
Little River Elementary School (LCPS)
08.2019 - 06.2024
First Grade Teacher
Ikego Elementary School DODEA
08.2017 - 06.2019
Third Grade Teacher
International School Bangkok
08.2014 - 06.2016
Second Grade Team Leader
Frankfurt International School
08.2006 - 06.2008
Second Grade Teacher
Frankfurt International School
08.2005 - 06.2008
Master of Arts - Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education
Shepherd University
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education
Western Illinois University
Associates of Arts - Elementary Education
Black Hawk College