There is an urgent need to bridge the talent gap with our underserved populations to meet our targeted regions’ demands for a growing technology workforce. Employers in these regions report their need for a more diversified workforce. However, they have trouble finding, attracting, and retaining qualified and appropriately skilled talent. This has been clearly documented by the high concentration of unfilled IT-related jobs and contrasting growth of the overall labor force. Accelerated growth of the technology sector in the region continues to be a hotbed attraction for fortune 500 companies such as Facebook, Google, Nationwide, J.P Morgan Chase, and Progressive. Annually, the region supplies over 42,000 jobs with average hourly rates of over $44.00 per hour. The growth of the technology industry continues to attract new talent to the region due to unlimited job potential and the need for educated labor expanding more quickly than supply.
Kristen has 15 years of experience in the field of education. Experiences include Intervention Specialist, 9-12grade, Career Based Intervention, and Career Techincal Education instructor. In 2016, Kristen moved into the role of Director of Curriculum and Instruction. In this role, Kristen was tasked with providing leadership and vision in the ongoing planning, implementation, development, direction of the district's curriculum and instructional services, federal programs, career, and technical education services, assessments, Adult Education, and evaluation services. Kristen has trained instructional staff members on appropriate accommodations and modifications, credit flexibility, career connections, and best practices. Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction Licenses in Mild/Moderate Special Education, K-21 Early Childhood License (PreK-3rd) Reading Endorsement Career Based Intervention (CBI) Endorsement Resident Educator Mentor Credential Industry Insider Certification