Knowledge Exchange Network
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Chicago, Illinois, United States
About the store
Hi! I'm Kristen Nguyen (she/her). I am a passionate educator who is committed to social justice and lifelong learning. My experiences include classroom teaching of English language arts (grades 3-12) in private and public school settings, working with adult learners through professional development provision and instructional coaching, and curriculum development across content areas and grade levels. Special areas of interest and expertise include adolescent development (I love Middle School), social & emotional learning, and research-based educator PD.
I am the founder of the Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) at [www.drkristennguyen.com], an online resource dedicated to fostering collaboration and communication between educators and parents/caregivers.
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Inside Out 2 Emotions Family Tree Project using Feelings Wheel (SEL, Art, ELA)
Inside Out 2 is streaming now and it's a perfect way to incorporate important social & emotional topics into your classroom. This digital download includes a printable PDF workbook containing all materials needed for students to complete a creative Feeling Families Project. **Just added: For those unable to print the pdf in color, a link to a Google Drive version of the student worksheets has been included in this product.Using the popular Feelings Wheel (based on the work of Dr. Gloria Willco
5th - 8th
Social Emotional Learning
Daily Questions of the Day for Middle School (Advisory, Homeroom, SEL)
This printable Question of the Day resource is a great way to start class with middle school students. Teachers know how important the first five minutes are in setting the tone for a successful class period, and this activity provides a great way to engage and connect with students at the start of class. It is also perfect for advisory, homeroom, or morning meetings. To suit the developmental needs of adolescents, the questions are a mix of fun and silly with more serious and critical thinking
5th - 8th
Classroom Community, Social Emotional Learning
Social Stories for Toddlers: Safe and Kind Play with Friends
Introduce little ones to the important concepts of taking turns and using gentle hands with these two engaging, photo-based social stories. Perfect for early childhood educators, caregivers, and parents, these stories use real-world images to make the lessons even more relatable and meaningful for young children. Both topics focus on social interactions and developing positive peer relationships. 1. "Taking Turns" teaches sharing and waiting/asking for a turn. 2. "Using Gentle Hands" teach
PreK - 1st
Social Emotional Learning
Social Stories for Toddlers: Teaching Consent and Respecting Boundaries
Introduce little ones to the important concepts of consent and bodily autonomy with these two engaging, photo-based social stories. Perfect for early childhood educators, caregivers, and parents, these stories use real-world images to make the lessons even more relatable and meaningful for young children. What’s Included:My Body: Permission to Touch – This story helps toddlers understand the importance of asking before touching, hugging, or engaging in physical contact. With real-life photos,
PreK - 1st
School Counseling, Social Emotional Learning
Social Stories for Toddlers: Personal Belongings and Independent Play
Help toddlers learn essential social skills and self-regulation with two engaging, photo-based social stories. Perfect for circle time, transition routines, and at-home learning, these stories offer practical tools to support toddlers in understanding boundaries and enjoying solo play. Instantly download a print-ready PDF of two stories: Special Things and Shared Things – This story helps young children understand the difference between personal items (like a lovey, toothbrush, or blanket) that
PreK - 1st
Social Emotional Learning
Life Transitions Social Story Set: Moving and New Sibling
Help young children navigate big changes with confidence and emotional support using this set of two developmentally-appropriate social stories! Designed for early childhood (ages 1.5–4), these 7-page stories introduce children to common life transitions— moving to a new home and welcoming a new sibling—with simple language, reassuring messages, and inclusive examples. Instantly download a print-ready PDF of two stories: "Moving to a New Home" This story helps toddlers understand the process
PreK - 1st
School Counseling, School Psychology, Social Emotional Learning
Toddler Social Stories: Following Directions & Saying Please and Thank You
Help toddlers build key social skills with this Manners and Respect Social Stories set! This product includes two engaging social stories designed to teach young children the value of listening, cooperation, and using kind words in everyday interactions. Instantly download a print-ready PDF of two stories: Following Directions: Listening and Cooperating – This story helps children understand why following directions is important, how to listen to grown-ups, and what to do if they need help. It
PreK - 1st
Social Emotional Learning
Healthy Habits, Germs, and Hygiene Social Stories for Toddlers
Teach toddlers essential self-care skills with this Healthy Habits Social Stories set! This product includes two engaging social stories designed to help young children understand and practice important routines that keep them and others healthy. Instantly download a print-ready PDF of two stories: Staying Healthy and Keeping Germs Away – This story explains the importance of washing hands, covering mouths when sneezing or coughing, and using tissues to stop the spread of germs. Through relatab
PreK - 1st
Health
Inside Out 2 Emotion Vocabulary Practice (Middle School ELA, SEL)
Pixar's Inside Out 2 was recently released on streaming and is a great teaching tool for folks who work with adolescents. This sequel features Riley entering puberty and experiencing brand new, more complex emotions as a result. Use this activity with or without showing the movie to help students explore the nuanced and complex emotions they may be experiencing as pre-teens and teens while also practicing vocabulary skills to help them grow as readers and writers. This would also make an engagi
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Social Emotional Learning, Vocabulary
CCSS
L.6.4c
, L.6.4d
, L.6.5
+18
Nature-Themed Alphabet Flashcards (Montessori, Waldorf, Early Childhood)
Bring the beauty of nature into early learning with these watercolor nature-themed alphabet flashcards! Designed to introduce young children to letters and nature vocabulary, this set includes cards for each letter of the alphabet, featuring a mix of specific plant and animal names (like “tulip” and “owl”) and more general nature terms (like “leaf”). To enhance phonics learning, each vowel letter (A, E, I, O, U) includes two words—one with a short vowel sound and one with a hard vowel sound, h
PreK - 1st
Balanced Literacy, Phonics & Phonological Awareness, Science
CCSS
RF.K.1d
, RF.K.3a
, RF.K.3b
+9
32 FREE Visual Routine Cards for Toddler Independence (Printable and Editable)
Routines are critical for developing calm and confident kiddos, and their grown-ups benefit, too! As a middle school teacher, I prioritized daily routines to promote independence and autonomy with adolescents. Now, as the parent of a toddler, I see how important these same qualities are for our little ones. All ages and types of kids (and adults!) benefit from visual routines, but these are especially designed to support toddlers at home, kids in early childhood classrooms/childcare centers
PreK - 1st
Inclusive, Multi-Disciplinary Valentine’s Day Activities for Grades 5-8
Bring the spirit of kindness, inclusivity, and global awareness into your classroom with this multi-disciplinary Valentine’s Day resource! Designed for upper elementary or middle school educators, this comprehensive product combines an engaging lesson, meaningful discussions, and creative projects to foster a positive classroom community and emphasize the non-romantic qualities of love and connection. What’s Included:Detailed Lesson Plan: Step-by-step guidance to use included materials and imple
5th - 8th
Classroom Community, Social Emotional Learning
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.W.1
English Language Arts Routines and Expectations Posters
When I was teaching middle school English language arts in a 90-minute block, I used routines posters to ensure students understood the purpose and expectations for each part of class: read-aloud, reading workshop, writing workshop, word study, and independent reading. Each poster has a brief explanation of the routine, outlines what the teacher's job is and what the student's job is (expectations), and explains the purpose of that routine, backed with research citations. This last part is key
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Reading, Writing
Showing 1-13 of 13 results
About the store
Experience
Hi! I'm Kristen Nguyen (she/her). I am a passionate educator who is committed to social justice and lifelong learning. My experiences include classroom teaching of English language arts (grades 3-12) in private and public school settings, working with adult learners through professional development provision and instructional coaching, and curriculum development across content areas and grade levels. Special areas of interest and expertise include adolescent development (I love Middle School), social & emotional learning, and research-based educator PD.
I am the founder of the Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) at [www.drkristennguyen.com], an online resource dedicated to fostering collaboration and communication between educators and parents/caregivers.
Teaching style
When I was in the classroom, I was inspired by the wisdom, creativity, and potential of the young people with whom I worked. My teaching practices were centered on unleashing the genius and passion of my students through voice and choice, authentic assessment, and culturally-affirming pedagogy.
As an educator working outside the classroom now, I am inspired by the wisdom, creativity, and potential of educators across the educational landscape. My goal is to support collaboration and dialogue that has the power to transform individuals and promote equity, inclusion, and healing in communities.
Awards & shining teacher moments
National Board Certification in English Language Arts/ Early Adolescence (2017)
TEDTalk titled "3 steps to help kids process traumatic events" at TED-Ed Educator Talks (January 2023)
My own education history
B.A. in English for Secondary Education from Grand Valley State University in Michigan (2007)
M.A. in Adventure/Experiential Education from Prescott College in Arizona (2013)
Ed.D in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership from Northeastern University in Boston (2023)
Additional biographical information
Chicago is where I live, but Michigan will always be home.
I am the mother of a toddler and am in awe of early childhood folks!
I enjoy swimming, running, foraging, gardening, and going down rabbit holes on Reddit.
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