Kathryn Kret

As the Director of Microschool Leadership Development and Supports, Kathryn is responsible for composing and conducting training for microschooling leaders, hosting informational meetings for the public, and working tirelessly to get learning tools and programs into the hands of microschool leaders at a reasonable cost. However, one of the best and most fun parts of her position is the facetime and support she provides for all the member microschools!

Kathryn has over 16 years of professional experience in education, as a teacher, teacher trainer, and most importantly as a forever student. Kathryn began her career in Philadelphia, teaching in a Charter school where she was certified in Responsive Classroom and her immediate love of Social Emotional Learning was piqued. A few years later and after a move to New Jersey, she continued her work in SEL by collaborating with the child-study team and other specialists to incorporate SEL seamlessly throughout the academic day. Eventually, she was called to do this work full-time and created her business consulting with superintendents to enact change district-wide. She could be found leading staff-wide professional developments, lunch and learns, or leading a classroom morning meeting. Whether it was rewriting mission statements, conducting team-building workshops for faculty and staff,  or coaching teachers on best practices–this was her happy place!

While working with SEL in the classroom she saw an opportunity to share her practice of yoga and mindfulness with the students and staff. Kathryn is trained and certified by the best in the business: Mindful Schools, YogaEd, and The Academy of Social Emotional Learning in Schools.  She is a 95hr Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher, 200hr Registered Yoga Teacher and Mindfulness Educator. She was honored to be able to initiate a pilot mindfulness program in partnership with BeeYouYoga, before she relocated again- but this time across the country to Las Vegas, NV. It was here in Nevada that Kathryn first learned of and quickly became obsessed with Microschools. She was introduced to the concept of permissionless learning when looking for school alternatives for her children in the Fall of 2020. Kathryn eagerly jumped down the rabbit hole and went on to meet some of the most innovative and creative teachers. She had the pleasure of facilitating at a microschool before being called to join the newly formed National Microschooling Center. To say this is a dream job for Kathryn would be an understatement, she gets to meet and interact with these incredible educators all over the country daily! She gets to be their number one cheerleader and their sounding board. Her vast experience in different educational settings, and as a small business owner allows her to connect with them from a place of understanding and compassion.

When not working or traveling with the NMC, Kathryn can be found walking her dog, playing with her kids, or enjoying one of her husband’s incredible culinary creations. She also continues to share her love of mindfulness with kids and educators through her company The P.E.A.C.E. School Project.