About Me
Kristina began blogging in 2003, but her experience in design and online writing began a lot earlier. Kristina started with a little creative writing personal website hosted on Geocities (before Yahoo purchased it) and eventually its popularity outgrew the services of a free host. In January of 1999, Kristina took her creative writing site to a new level and began the creative writing E-zine called Epiphany: a celebration in writing (no longer online). She did much of the design work herself – learning HTML and eventually CSS in order to keep it running and looking spiffy. Her efforts as a designer and editor paid off when she was given the opportunity to work with various authors such as Anastasia Clark, Nikki Giovanni, Pamela June-Kimmell, and others.
In October of 2003, Kristina was accepted into the New York City Teaching Fellows program. She entered Fordham University – eventually earning a MS in Teaching Secondary Education English – and began working for the New York City Department of Education. She spent her first year in the classroom teaching Literacy Skills to reluctant and struggling readers and through close friendships with more experienced educators, went on to become a success in the classroom developing a teaching style that incorporated exciting learning experiences and a strong classroom management plan. In fact, her unique teaching of “Romeo and Juliet” kept students thoroughly engaged even during the nice spring weather.
Again, Kristina put her technology skills to good use as she designed and developed the newsletter and logo for the school’s Business Program and the newsletter for the school’s Media Program. She went on to also design, develop, and maintain the school’s website. She also handled the technical aspects of building the school’s Professional Development registration system. Kristina also facilitated professional development workshops for her co-workers focusing on using technology to enhance learning in the classroom. In addition, Kristina was one of the lead teachers assigned to rewrite the 9th grade English Curriculum while aligning each unit and lesson to NYS Academic Standards.
In 2008, Kristina decided to take a leave of absence to work from home while homeschooling her pre-school aged daughter. Kristina runs Mom on the Rise, a blog focusing on the struggles of being a working mom. She also writes for TravelingMom.com, and is a March of Dimes Mom. As a March of Dimes Mom, Kristina contributes a monthly column about several aspects of pregnancy. In addition, Kristina recently worked with Maria Bailey and BSM Media to design and maintain their website for the first National Mom’s Nite Out and was chosen as one of ten moms to attend the first ever Disney African American Mom Bloggers of Color Weekend in October of 2008. She is also a Purex Insider. Most recently, Kristina and her family were chosen to be a Panasonic Living in HD Family #66.
Kristina is the co-founder of the We of Hue Network (currently in development) and the Moms of Hue blog focusing on helping women of color become vocal and powerful consumers.
She has been married for six years and has a daughter.