Welcome to Mrs. Heystek’s Webpage!
Please click on the links below to get a glimpse of how the classroom community works and to see my style of teaching.

In the Classroom
Writing Workshop
Reading Workshop
Social Studies
Camp Timber-lee Trip
Photo Gallery 

Dear Parents,
My name is Kristine Heystek and I am writing to tell you that I am thrilled to be teaching at Keith Country Day School!  I feel privileged to work at such a well-respected, positive, dedicated school that promotes a love for lifetime learning. Please see the attached letter with more information about myself.

Best regards, Mrs. Heystek

A Little Bit About Me…
For as long as I can remember I have been immersed in education. My mother and father both taught high school mathematics, which enabled me to experience education through the eyes of teachers. In addition, I have been fortunate to have had a multitude of educational experiences in both private and public schools, attending a Montessori nursery school, a small private parochial elementary school, a large inner-city multicultural public high school, and two state universities. Upon graduation, my teaching experiences have been in an inner city science based elementary school, a suburban upper middle class elementary school, two private independent international schools in Asia, Charlotte Country Day School in North Carolina, and now Keith Country Day School in Rockford!

My travels have taken me throughout the United States, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Aruba, Denmark, and many countries in Asia. While traveling in the United States, I volunteered on several occasions with a youth group, maintaining and rebuilding community facilities. In Europe I participated in a cultural exchange program where I played soccer in Denmark, Holland, and Sweden. I have also had the opportunity to teach in Thailand for two years and Hong Kong for three years, and most recently Charlotte Country Day School. Finally, I am now at Keith Country Day School, which I am enjoying more than ever. All of my experiences and travels have given me insight into other areas and cultures and have made me more cognizant of the fact that although everyone around the world is different and unique, we still have so very much in common with each other.

Lifelong learning is one of my goals as an educator. I have earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, graduating with high honors, and continue to take courses to learn best practices in teaching and leading. I recently have been working on creating a well-researched literacy program with my colleagues here at Keith. This year I will also have the opportunity to participate in a collaborative process to continue to create and revise curriculum and school planning. These experiences have been rewarding, and I look forward to more in the future as I travel down the path of gaining knowledge and experiences.

Most importantly, when I wake each day, I look forward to seeing my students’ smiling faces. They know that I respect and care for them, which gives them a sense of security and puts them at ease when communicating and asking questions. Some of my qualities include being a team player, good listener, leader, very organized, and hard-working person. My desire is to achieve my personal best at all times so that I can accomplish my goals. Children are our future, and in the teaching profession. I am privileged to help stimulate and motivate young learners. My heart always has been in education and my passion is to help young people become the best they can be.