Kristy Baynes

Personal Mission Statement/Philosophy of Inclusion:

It is imperative to keep students, any and all students (special needs, neurotypical, social/emotional/behavioral problems, Bilingual learners) in the classroom through accommodations or modifications. My duty as their teacher is to learn and prepare differentiated lessons, scaffolding instruction, and provide an inclusive and supportive classroom environment that celebrates each student’s abilities, while being well-versed in the various special education laws, acts, and forms.

Stay-At-Home Parent (May 2023-November 2025)

• Created age-appropriate curriculum and lesson plans for toddler, including art, music, and experiences to solidify learning targets.

Elementary Teacher: 2nd grade (August 2022- May 2023): Ferguson Florissant School District ~ Walnut Grove Elementary 

• Provided detailed and structured instruction to 28-30 students in 2nd grade.
• Used district curriculum to create lesson plans that implemented and fulfilled the Missouri State Standards.
• Implemented various tiered lesson plans, homework, and quizzes to accommodate various learning styles and educational needs of students. 
• Cultivated PBIS into the classroom through building community, de-escalation methods, clear procedures, and expectations while focusing on natural consequences for negative classroom behavior rather than “punishment or consequences that make little sense” and building relationships with students and their families through various platforms. 

Student Teacher: 3rd grade (February 2021- May 2022): Ferguson Florissant School District ~ Berkley Elementary 3-5

• Taught a 3rd-grade classroom with various IEPs, 504s, and behavioral plans in a diverse urban classroom. 
• Integrated standards-based grading into the traditional grading system.
• Applied knowledge of individual students’ needs and interests by selecting a variety of evidence-based strategies, including any necessary accommodations or modifications. Also, adjust strategies in the moment based on individual students’ needs. 

Substitute Teacher (August 2019- May 2022): Ritenour School District ~ Elementary

•  Filled positions for several teachers in multiple schools throughout the district for several teachers on leave of absence. 
• My roles included directing instruction, assessing students formally and informally (assigning homework, filling out behavior charts, administering tests, and sustaining classroom management).
• Attended and participated in PLC and cross-curricular planning with the 2nd-grade team when I was a long-term substitute for three months.

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education 1-6, May 2022

Major: Elementary Education 1-6

Minor: Special Education

University of Missouri-St. Louis

GPA: 3.8/4.0