Kristen Dombek is the newest addition to the Spanish department at De Pere High School for the 2024-2025 school year. She taught for 9 years at two different high schools in Illinois and then taught for 4 years at Algoma High School before coming to DPHS. She answered questions via email from the Crimson Aviator.
Q: Where did you go to school?
A: I went to Sycamore High School in Sycamore, IL. I went to Northern Illinois University for my Bachelor’s in Spanish Language and Literature with an emphasis in teaching, this summer I wrapped up my Master’s degree at the Universidad de Guanajuato in Guanajuato, México.
Q: What activities did you do in high school?
A: I was in chamber orchestra and choir, jazz, madrigals, thespians, DCP/SAFE (DeKalb County Partnership for a Safe and Family Environment), Illini Girls State, 4-H, all of the plays and musicals, and Key Club. My senior year, I was District Project Chair for the state of Illinois and Eastern Iowa. I ran fundraising for the Kiwanis Neuroscience Research Foundation on the student level and was in a different part of the state almost every weekend helping other schools with fundraisers and activity ideas.
Q: Was Spanish your favorite subject when you were in school?
A: Surprisingly, no! I didn’t start learning Spanish until I was 14; before that it was either English or history.
Q: What are your interests outside of school?
A: I spend a lot of time with my dogs. I love dogs and used to show dogs in obedience and conformation. I also watch a lot of Netflix, and I like making crafts.
Q: If you weren’t a teacher what would you do?
A: I would have wanted to do something in the arts. I’ve always been interested in voiceovers and voice acting.
Q: Why did you want to become a teacher?
A: I have family members in the teaching field. My mom was a high school counselor for 30+ years, and I have an aunt who teaches special education. I thought I would give teaching a try, and luckily for me, it turned out to be just what I was looking for!
Q: What qualities do you feel like you bring to De Pere High School?
A: I strive off curiosity and encourage students to ask questions and figure out their world. I have a lot of enthusiasm for students getting involved, and love to watch students discover what they can do with the language they have.
Q: Did you have teachers in high school who inspired you to want to teach?
A: My Spanish teachers were all amazing people and really impressed upon me the impact that teachers could have. I still look up to all of these teachers, but their reasoning behind why they taught the way they did has impacted what I do to such a great extent.
Q: Why did you choose to teach High school-aged kids?
A: I started my career teaching high school, and I’ve always felt it to be a good fit. This year, I am actually between the middle school and the high school and it’s such a different world. I taught Kindergarten during my student teaching. I learned so much from teaching them, but I’m glad I get to talk about more complex topics with my high schoolers.
Q: How is the school year going?
A: It’s been going really well! I have really enjoyed meeting all of the students and staff. I am awed by the amount of clubs offered here, and am even more impressed by student participation in said clubs. It’s amazing how many students want to get involved in extracurricular activities!
