Knowledge Exchange Network
39 Followers
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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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: 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
Professional Development: Trauma Awareness and Healing Centered Engagement
Collaborative Conversations is a three-part professional learning series that creates structured opportunities for teachers and other educators to strengthen their understanding of trauma and trauma-aware practices, cultivate systems to support personal and collective wellness, and develop strategies to support healing. The printable (pdf) or editable (word doc) workbooks provide everything needed for three sessions: Session 1: Understanding Trauma and Its Impact Session 2: Navigating Compassio
Classroom Community, 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
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
Crisis and Trauma Response Planning Tool
My TED-Ed Educator Talk, "3 steps to help kids process traumatic events," has amassed over 1.5 million views on Ted.com. In it, I describe the three steps educators or caregivers can use to address community crises or traumatic current events with young people. These ideas are based on research with educators across the United States. These steps are simple and straightforward, but it doesn't mean they are easy to do. This tool was created to provide teams or individual educators with a reflec
Not Specific
Classroom Community, Social Emotional Learning
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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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