Adjunct Teaching Faculty
MS, Drake University

I believe literacy is a human right—and the foundation for equity and opportunity. Every student deserves access to high-quality, evidence-based instruction, and that starts with teachers who are equipped, supported, and empowered. Decades of research show how the brain learns to read and what effective instruction looks like—but knowing isn’t the same as doing. Turning that knowledge into daily practice requires time, trusted relationships, thoughtful coaching, and space for reflection. Teachers are learners too, and we shouldn’t have to figure it out alone.

 

I see MTSS as the driver for sustainable systems change—and one of the most powerful ways we can support teachers. Grounded in collaborative problem-solving, MTSS helps teams use data to identify what’s working, what’s not, and what to do next. This framework provides a strategic approach to applying resources, building capacity, and fostering shared responsibility. With a relentless commitment to equity and continuous improvement, we create the conditions where effective teaching and meaningful learning can thrive.

Biography

Kristen Hubbell is a member of the Literacy Teaching Faculty at UVEI and a local LETRS facilitator. Her work is rooted in the belief that literacy is a fundamental right and a matter of social justice. With nearly two decades of experience in Colorado, Iowa, and Vermont, she has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and reading interventionist. She currently works at Woodstock Elementary School, where she is an active member of the MTSS leadership team. Kristen has taught hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds, languages, and learning profiles. She leads professional learning, facilitates problem-solving teams, and coaches colleagues. She thrives in collaborative partnerships that value vulnerability, continuous learning, and shared leadership.

Kristen is pursuing a Dyslexia Certificate at Mount Saint Joseph University, is a licensed Literacy Specialist in Vermont, holds a Master’s in Teacher Effectiveness and Professional Development from Drake University, as well as a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Vermont. She lives in Woodstock with her husband (a firefighter) and their three children (all of whom attend the school where she teaches). Outside of the classroom, she enjoys trail running, hiking, biking, skiing, and listening to audiobooks on the go.