Meet Ms. Kristy

About Me and My Family

I am Kristina (Kristy) Benitez, M.A.T., a K–8 educator with over a decade of public school teaching experience. For the past twelve years, I taught in rural Alaska, including some of the most remote villages in the United States. Living and teaching in communities of fewer than five hundred people shaped my perspective as both a teacher and a mother.

In the summer of 2025, my family and I moved from a small Alaskan village to Texas. Transitioning from bush planes and air travel to get to a Costco or Walmart, to having a grocery store a mile down the road has been a big change for our little family, and one we are grateful for. During this season of transition, I chose to homeschool my own children. We participate in Classical Conversations, and I deeply value the emphasis on strong foundations, critical thinking, and a love of learning.

Being both a classroom teacher and a homeschool mom gives me a unique perspective. I understand the academic side of education, but I also understand the heart of a parent who wants their child to thrive.

My Educational Background and Experience

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Family Studies from Corban University in Salem, Oregon. After graduation, I worked with adults with intellectual disabilities, which gave me a deeper understanding of individualized support and developmental needs.

I later pursued my dream of teaching and completed my Master of Arts in Teaching at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington in 2013. Soon after, I began teaching in rural Alaska.

A significant portion of my teaching career has been in first grade and in preschool through third grade, the most critical years for building strong reading foundations. I have extensive experience leading reading intervention groups and supporting students who are performing far below grade level. Helping struggling readers build confidence and close gaps has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career.

My Philosophy of Teaching

I believe reading is not a natural process but a learned one that must be taught clearly, explicitly, and systematically. Children are wired for spoken language, but reading requires the brain to build connections between sounds, letters, and meaning.

My instruction aligns with the Science of Reading and is informed by research such as Scarborough’s Reading Rope and the Simple View of Reading. I believe students thrive when instruction strengthens both word recognition and language comprehension. When children understand how language works, they stop guessing and start growing.

I also believe learning should bring joy. Structure and clarity do not eliminate joy; they create the foundation for it. When students experience success, confidence grows. When confidence grows, motivation follows.

My Heart for Reading

I am grateful for the unique experiences that have shaped me as an educator and a mother. It is an honor to focus on what I love most: helping aspiring young leaders become confident, capable readers who love reading.

I look forward to partnering with families and supporting each child’s journey toward strong and joyful literacy.