Kristen Blum

Inquiry-inspired teacher with 8 years experience teaching internationally in IB schools. Grade 4

and 5 Teacher and Literacy Coordinator at Yokohama International School. With more than 13
years of experience with students from first grade through college, I believe that students learn by
creating and taking responsibility for their own learning. Through inquiry, they learn about the
world and make connections that make their learning meaningful. I encourage students to play
and to be curious. I try to open up the world to my students by encouraging them to ask questions,
to communicate with people around the world and to take action that moves their learning beyond
the classroom.
Recent Experience
Yokohama International School, Yokohama, Japan
Grade 4 and 5 teacher 2009-present
Created new IBPYP Exhibition focus on passion, personal inquiry and action
Led grade 4 and 5 team to incorporate literature circles, balanced literacy, visible thinking,
cross grade critical thinking, math collaborative and problem-solving projects
Wrote successful grants to bring in TCK speakers and differentiated technology
Served on new director search team, insurance review team, service learning team and
South Asian collaboration for growth project
Started ES girls soccer program, elementary magazine and coached MS volleyball
Initiated service learning through Kiva.org and Charity Water
Incorporated a solid and engaged use of technology in 1-1 classroom: collaborating
through Skype, blogs, Twitter. Successfully used technology as differentiation
Successfully used PBL in class.
Elementary School Literacy Coordinator 2010-2013
Writing: Initiated writing planners, developmentally appropriate spelling program,
rewrote language reports, put in place balanced writing program based on First Steps and
Lucy Caulkins. Created Elementary Literacy Wiki
Reading: Wrote ES reading essential agreements. Initiated World Read Aloud Day at YIS,
ordered over $30,000 of good-quality literature and nonfiction, analyzed and chose new
reading assessments and materials for ES, including beginning of leveled book library,
helped YIS enter first Kanto-region Book Bowl, worked closely with librarian to promote
reading across ES, developed reading agreements and expectations.
Bilkent Laboratory & International School, Ankara, Turkey
Grade 1 teacher 2007-2009
Co-chaired the schools science fair
Initiated 1st all-elementary school read-in daydevoted to reading and book-related
activities and rewrote the schools assessment policy and language policy
Helped bring school to IBPYP certification
ADDRESS
3-213-8 Hongo-cho
Naka-ku
Yokohama, Japan
231-0843
BLOG
http://
kdceci.wordpress.com/
TWITTER
@namastececi
PHONE
(81)8041402138
EMAIL
kdceci@blumhome.com
SKYPE
kdceci
Kristen Blum
Other Teaching Experience
Grade 5 Teacher, Brier Elementary, Seattle, Washington, USA (2005-2007)
Instructor, South Seattle Community College, Seattle, Washington, USA (1998-1999)
High School English Teacher and Department Chair, Humanex Academy, Lakewood,
Colorado, USA (1994-1997)
Education
Teaching Certificate, Elementary Ed., Western Washington University (March, 2004).
MFA Creative Writing, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (May, 1994).
BA, magna cum laude, English/French, DePauw U., Greencastle, Indiana (May, 1989).
Recent Professional Development
Collaboration for Growth Project, South Asia, 2014-2015
Kath Murdoch, Inquiry, Yokohama, October 2014 and February 2013
PYP Creating Inclusive Classrooms, Yokohama, Oct. 2014
Learning 2.013, Singapore, Oct. 2013
PYP Concept-Based Learning, Yokohama, Sept. 2013
Leadership Training, Yokohama, April-May 2013
CIS Team Visitor training, Yokohama, April 2013
Bill and Ochan Powell, Differentiation and Cognitive Coaching, Yokohama, February 2013
Math through Inquiry, Michael Weimer, Yokohama, January 2013
Making Thinking Visible, Project Zero, Harvard University, Online, December 2012.
PYP Reading and Writing Through Inquiry, Tokyo, November 2012
Learning 2.012, Beijing, October 2012
Collaborative Planning in the PYP, Yokohama, October 2011
Writing Trainer, First Steps, Australia, May 2011
PYP The Exhibition, Singapore, September 2010
Other Significant Experience
Twitter #pypchat leadership team
Contributor to Solid Ground, Inquire Within and Sharing PYP Practice blogs
Author, The Greater Evergreen Area Guide
Online Editor, AdvanceOnline, Expedia.com
News reporter, Antioch Daily Ledger, California, USA
References
Jacqueline Pender, Elementary Principal, Yokohama International School
81-045-622-0084. Skype: YISElementary Email: penderj@yis.ac.jp
Craig Coutts, Head of School, Yokohama International School, 81-045-622-0084. Email:
couttsc@yis.ac.jp
James MacDonald, former head of YIS, NIST International School of Thailand,
66-2651-2065, Email: jmacdonald@nist.ac.th
ADDRESS
3-213-8 Hongo-cho
Naka-ku
Yokohama, Japan
231-0843
BLOG
http://
kdceci.wordpress.com/
TWITTER
@namastececi
PHONE
(81)8041402138
EMAIL
kdceci@blumhome.com
SKYPE
kdceci