Kristine Zitny

When I was in third grade, education became inclusive for all students. I immediately saw the beauty and value in learning alongside children of all abilities, and I knew I wanted to be part of that environment. Teaching runs in my family—my grandmother, mother, and two of my aunts were all educators—so it felt like a natural path for me. I have a deep love for nurturing a passion for learning in children. Helping them see their potential and contributions to our future!

It’s difficult to choose just one memorable teaching experience—after 30 years in education, there have been countless meaningful moments. However, I have to say that during the COVID-19 pandemic, I experienced some of the most significant growth as an educator. The challenges pushed me to adapt, innovate, and connect with students in ways I never could have imagined before.

Receiving $25,000 would make a tremendous impact on our classroom and the causes we passionately support. Our class, proudly known as the Sea Turtle Class, is dedicated to environmental advocacy. We support sea turtle rescue organizations and actively promote the use of reusable water bottles and sustainable practices. This funding would allow us to expand our efforts, deepen our impact, and inspire even more students to become stewards of the environment.