District Leadership Spotlight - Dr. Kristin Larsen

Dr. Kristin Larsen recently joined the Norristown Area School District as the new English Language Development Supervisor. We are thrilled to welcome her into our NASD community!

Prior to joining NASD, Dr. Larsen served as the K-5 Curriculum Specialist in the School District of Philadelphia's (SDP) Office of Multilingual Curriculum and Programs (OMCP), where she developed and maintained high-quality curriculum and resources for ESL programs, facilitated professional development, and provided instructional support for teachers. Previously, Dr. Larsen served as a Multilingual Manager also for SDP’s OMCP, advising assistant superintendents, school administrators, and teachers on programming, compliance, curriculum, and instruction for multilingual learners.

Before moving into administration, Dr. Larsen taught K-8 ESL and led school-based ESL programs for 10 years across a variety of urban and suburban school settings. While serving as the ESL Coordinator at Folk Arts Cultural Treasures (FACTS) Charter School in Philadelphia’s Chinatown, she was instrumental in the development and launching of the FACTS Middle School Newcomer Program.

Dr. Larsen has worked closely with WestEd’s Quality Teaching for English Learners through their Apprentice Professional Developer program, she is a Teacher Consultant for the Northern Virginia Writing Project, and she has worked with the Philadelphia Writing Project and the University of Delaware English Language Institute to support and deliver high-quality language and literacy instruction for multilingual learners. Her international experience includes teaching abroad as an English Language Teaching Assistant with Fulbright Austria, completing an International Research Fellowship at the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany, as well as study abroad at the Eberhard-Karls University in Tübingen, Germany.

Dr. Larsen earned her Ed.D. in Reading/Writing/Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. She obtained a K-12 Administrative Certificate from Holy Family University, and is currently enrolled in Temple University’s Superintendent Letter of Eligibility Certificate Program. She holds an M.Ed. from George Mason University in Curriculum and Instructional: Multilingual/Multicultural Education and a B.A. from Tufts University in German Language and Literature and International Letters and Visual Studies with a concentration in Film Studies.

Dr. Larsen lives in Havertown with her husband and two young children. In her free time, she serves on her local school board, and enjoys running, yoga, gardening, learning languages, and traveling.

Dr. Larsen is excited to bring her expertise and passion for supporting high-quality and equitable educational opportunities for multilingual learners to NASD. We are so excited to have her as a member of our District Leadership Team. Welcome Dr. Larsen!