Kristin Penn grew up in the Los Angeles area and feels deeply connected to the city of L.A. Mrs. Penn holds a B.A. in psychology and child development and has an extensive background in the social-emotional development of young children. She earned a teaching credential and a master’s degree in education, and began teaching at Crossroads School in Santa Monica. After six years at Crossroads, she took a break to raise her son, then returned to the classroom to teach both kindergarten and first grade at Saint Mark School in Venice, California.

Mrs. Penn takes a developmental approach to learning and believes in the importance of differentiation through workshop-based curriculum, including Cognitive Guided Instruction and the Readers and Writers Workshop. She enjoys bringing learning to life through real-world experiences and project-based learning. She believes that a teacher does not simply tell students what they need to know; rather, learning should be experiential, child-centered, and socially mindful. Her goal is to foster a love of learning in each and every student she teaches. She strives to make her classroom a place full of joy, collaboration, and passion.