This year at LHS we have many new members in our family, such as Kristen Niemitalo Woods. She’s joined our social studies department and teaches Economics, US History, and World History.
“It’s just really fun to work with students who are more independent and are capable of deeper thinking,” said Niemitalo Woods.
This is one of the major reasons why she’s come to Littleton High School after teaching four years of fifth grade and four years in middle school.
“Last year I had one lesson that I taught five times. And while that’s easier, it’s not nearly as fun or as interesting,” said Niemitalo Woods.
Besides wanting some variety, she also lives very close and attended LPS as a kid.
“My sister went here and it’s a really cool community,” said Niemitalo Woods even though she attended a different high school.
She’s expressed her teaching philosophy as feeling like students are more productive when they feel emotionally safe and respected.
“My primary hope is that students feel seen and heard and safe. And then from that place they’re able to step outside of their comfort zone and step outside of their perspective and see the world a little bit differently,” said Niemitalo Woods on her teaching philosophy.
Woods, going into college, didn’t originally want to be a teacher.
“I originally thought I wanted to be a therapist or work in nonprofit work, but then my senior year, I kind of had a moment where I was like, oh man, actually, there are all these experiences that are related to education that I was really good at and I really loved,” said Niemitalo Woods.
So, she graduated and got an alternative teaching license, and here she is.
Upon being asked if she was planning on sponsoring, partnering with, or coaching any clubs or sports teams, Woods has decided to take some time to get on her feet. However, she is open to helping with some.
“I think when I was a student, I did Key Club, and I know that there’s already a sponsor for that, but I think that some kind of work to help connect students with the broader needs of the community would be really cool eventually,” said Woods.
Everyone in the Lions community is so excited to get to know Ms. N and the style she brings to LHS!
