Katie Krummeck

1.

I went to go to a small liberal arts college and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I loved my teachers and decided that maybe I should become a teacher as well.

2.

While education policy fostered a different type of system, I tried to work around it and focus my teaching style on nurturing the whole person.

3.

I helped launch an independent experimental school and learned how powerful student-centered learning can be for kids who struggle in traditional systems.

4.

My partner and I decided to have an adventure and move to China for a year to teach English.

5.

After that, we moved to California’s Bay Area, where I decided to find work outside of the classroom—I said “yes” to unexpected opportunities that slowly opened new doors for my career.

6.

Discovering design thinking at Stanford changed everything for me—I finally found a process for creative problem-solving and meaningful learning.

7.

I learned to trust myself by stepping into unfamiliar roles, from running makerspaces to leading innovation projects far beyond my training.

8.

Today, I work in philanthropy, helping organizations create learning experiences where young people can solve real problems and discover their strengths.