The Unsung Hero is designated by Superintendent of Schools Lori S. Duerr to shine a well-deserved spotlight on individuals in the Falmouth Public Schools who make invaluable contributions to the district.
By Sarah E. Murphy
When Kristen Kallberg began working as a substitute kindergarten teacher at Teaticket Elementary School in the Fall of 2019, she didn’t need help finding her way to the class, for she had once been a student of the same teacher, in the same room.
Kristen initially decided to try substitute teaching as a way to see if she would enjoy working in education, and also because the schedule didn’t interfere with her seasonal job at a local restaurant. She was hired as a building substitute during Covid, and worked throughout the pandemic. Since then, she has found her niche, in Teaticket’s Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP), providing support for special education students. Kristen eventually began working as a one-to-one aide, and earlier this fall, she was hired as a TIP teaching assistant.
Her kindergarten teacher, Lynn Van Etta, would eventually become Kristen’s colleague, along with several other friendly faces from her childhood.
“I have so many good memories from Teaticket. I loved my teachers, and some of them are still here,” she said.
And some of them are still teaching her today.
“Everyone here is so supportive, and I’ve learned so much from them,” she said.
A 2015 graduate of Falmouth High School, Kristen is the daughter of John Kallberg of Falmouth and Mary Kallberg of County Mayo, Ireland. She and her three siblings, Ann-Marie (FHS ‘09), Jennifer (FHS ’11), and James (FHS ’17), all attended Teaticket.
Kristen enjoys watching her students meet their respective goals.
“Some kids need help settling into their routine, so it takes them a little longer to get their work done, but knowing what to expect helps them succeed throughout the day,” she said.
“It’s really rewarding to see their progress, and how far they come, when they get the extra help they need. It’s also rewarding to know you can positively impact someone by what you do.”
Kristen believes her personality makes her conducive to her role, especially when it comes to student behavior.
“I have a lot of patience, and I’m able to remain calm when the kids get upset. Getting worked up and matching that energy doesn’t help anyone,” she said.
Blake and Bradlee, both second-graders, appreciate Miss Kristen’s assistance.
“She helps me with my math papers,” Blake said.
His classmate agreed.
“She helps me do good things. She helps me with math. She’s nice,” Bradlee said.
Dawn Williamson, secretary to Teaticket Principal Sandy Kapsambelis, is not surprised to see Kristen take to her role so naturally. Ms. Williamson was a teaching assistant in Kristen’s third and fourth grade classes at Teaticket, along with those of her siblings. Two decades later, the two were reunited as colleagues in the summer of 2020, when they were hired to be building substitutes at Teaticket. They got to know each other better while working with the administration to prepare new systems following Covid for the 2020/2021 school year.
Ms. Williamson believes Kristen’s demeanor is one of the qualities that contribute to her success. She also credited her dedication, particularly throughout the pandemic.
“Kristen is sweet, kind, soft-spoken, and smart. She’s really good with the population she works with. She’s very calm yet quickly responds when needed, and she has the intuition to handle situations. During Covid, she was so flexible, and she did everything that was needed of her, without questioning, without complaining. She was a trooper,” she said.
“She really loves Teaticket School. The fact that she’s back is very special.”
Renee Budd, a teacher in the TIP program, credited Kristen’s work ethic.
“Kristen is amazing. She’s so consistent, always here for the kids, and always willing to help out her co-workers. She’s so patient and caring, and she’s such a wonderful member of our team within the TIP program,” she said.
“It takes a special person to work with children who have special needs, and she does it so well.”
Assistant Principal and Special Education Building Administrator Krista Connelly agreed.
“There are so many things that make Kristen good at her job, but first and foremost, she loves kids, and kids in return know that, and they love and respect her. To be able to remain calm in a situation where kids are heightened and dysregulated is not always easy, and it comes very naturally to her,” she said.
“She’s also incredibly flexible, and she’s a team player, and those things go hand-in-hand in the program she works in. We have a significant number of kiddos who need assistance, so the schedule can change depending on where the needs are. She’s able to jump in and do what’s needed for the good of the group with grace, and she’s always here with a smile. She really has given her time to work her way up to the position she’s in now, and I find that admirable.”
Principal Sandy Kapsambelis has also witnessed that professionalism.
“Kristen has been a key staff member supporting the students in our Therapeutic Intervention Program for the past few years. She is someone we can always count on. Kristen is a kind, caring, person who always has a positive attitude. She takes time to really get to know her students, and she is invested in their learning,” she said.
“We are so happy to have Kristen at Teaticket School. We appreciate her dedication to our students and our school community.”
Superintendent of Schools Lori S. Duerr highlighted Kristen’s commitment during a time when it was needed most.
“The pandemic found us all in unfamiliar territory, creating many new challenges for our students and staff, which we all worked through together, thanks to the unwavering dedication of individuals such as Kristen,” Dr. Duerr said. “We are so lucky she chose to be part of our district, sharing her wisdom, kindness, and respect with our students every day.”