#ThrowbackThursday: Kristi Lin

^{College of Education} _{#ThrowbackThursday: Kristi Lin}

One highlight from Kristi’s career was taking her elementary school kids to Ellis Island.

Kristi hosts a Coug party every year. This is with high school seniors who are heading to WSU. She says “brainwashing.” We say “common sense decision-making.”

Kristi Lin – Elementary Education

Tell us a little about your background.
I grew up in Shoreline, WA. I’m a 3rd generation Coug and K-8 educator. There were 34 family members who went to WSU, and many of them majored in Education. My parents went to WSU and were Education majors. My father was my high school vice principal and the athletic director of my school district, and his father (my grandfather), who graduated from WSU College of Education in 1930 and played football at WSU, was also a teacher, football coach and athletic director in the Vancouver School District. My mom also a graduate of the College of Education taught elementary school and was a professor in the UW education department (though wore her Coug attire everyday while driving in the parking lot with her Coug license plate!). Her father, George Nethercutt Sr., graduated from WSU in the 1930’s, playing baseball at WSU and serving on the Spokane School Board. Washington State University and Education are extremely important to our family.

What did you study at WSU? Did you always know you wanted to study that?
I majored in Elementary Education. I ALWAYS wanted to be a Coug and a teacher. The role models in my family, in addition to the amazing education faculty at WSU provided ample support for my future path in education.

What has been your favorite thing about WSU, as well as the College of Education?
My favorite thing about WSU are my Coug friends and family! My life-long Coug relationships are priceless and precious. The memories of being a student at WSU are beautiful, and Coug Spirit is a real thing. The College of Education gave me a wonderful foundation that directly translated to the classroom – thrive in a wonderful teaching environment and teach with purpose and joy.

Is there a memory you have from WSU that stands out in your mind as unforgettable, transformative, etc.?
There are too many transformative memories to count. My WSU friendships were life-changing and impacting. My relationships with my College of Education professors were unforgettable, especially Dr. Sherry Vaughn who taught graduate classes, Jenny Nelson who was from Australia and taught elementary social studies, bringing history to life in the classroom, and Chris Sodorff who supported me with care and love. I am forever grateful. I also have to mention that my faith journey grew in my sorority and on campus. WSU, Education and Faith transformed my life at WSU.

What has your career path been since you left WSU? What do you currently do? Tell us about your NOW life!
A lot has happened in 35 years. I relished my student teaching in Spokane in the Mead School District teaching 3rd grade. Then, I was hired to teach in the Shoreline School District in a 2nd/3rd grade, self-contained, highly-capable program. I was married and moved to New York City and taught 3rd grade at the Manhattan New School (PS 290) and attended the Teacher’s College at Columbia University. Overall, I LOVED every single day in the classroom. It wasn’t just a career – it was a passion and calling. I remain in contact with many of my students and their families from over 25 years of teaching. Life now: I have been married for 25 years and have three children. My son is a senior at WSU, my other son is a sophomore at UC-Berkeley, and my daughter is a senior at Shorewood High School.

What makes you an agent of change?
I am filled with joy/Cougar Spirit, I look at the positives in every situation, and I understand when I want to be an agent of change I need to listen carefully to different points of view with grace and thoughtfulness and then reflect and research areas of change before making the change. A dream of mine has been to mentor, help and encourage WSU education majors.

Favorites

Food: Mexican

Restaurant in Pullman: Nuevo Vallarta

Musician: Coldplay

Song: Anything by Taylor Swift

Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life

TV show: The Chosen

Favorite Coug sport: ALL COUG SPORTS: Coug Football because my cousin played for the Cougs (Scott Pelluer) and so did his son (Peyton Pelluer). Coug Volleyball because I loved watching Haley MacDonald and Claire Martin play, and the team is on fire now. Men’s Basketball because I am the BIGGEST Klay Thompson and Josh Hawkinson fan. Coug Track/XC because I loved watching Charlee Linton run and coach and now Gilana Wollman. I love Woman’s Tennis, because it is my favorite sport (yet wish they weren’t so good so my daughter could play for them.) I also am a huge fan of Coug Golf because I am the greatest fan of Ben Borgida! Lastly, the Girls Basketball team ROCKS! Last year was AMAZING!

Favorite spot on campus (when you were a student): Kappa Kappa Gamma House

Hobby: Other than teaching, I find joy in parenting, travel, running, tennis, golfing, photography, socializing with friends/family, reading, faith fellowship and supporting WSU COUGS!

Place to visit (you’ve been to): I’ve traveled to every continent except Antartica and many states and countries, yet my favorite vacation spot is the peacefulness of childhood memories at Priest Lake.

Dream vacation spot (you haven’t been to): Maldives