An empowering exploration of how women can redefine success by building supportive communities and releasing the burden of doing everything alone. Discover the power of vulnerability, collaboration, and collective strength.
Influential Woman · Education
Kristina Marrett
Educational Consultant, Curriculum Associates
Amityville, NY
1Article published
Her Story
About Kristina
Kristina has dedicated 19 years to education, beginning with a passion for teaching that started in childhood. After earning her bachelor's degree in English from Fordham University, she volunteered in schools for two years before entering the classroom as a substitute and then full-time teacher. She later transitioned into the role of district math consultant. Although she initially pursued English, a mentor's advice encouraged her to teach math despite not considering herself a math person, which reshaped her career trajectory and built her resilience. She is now building her own consulting business focused on math coaching and instructional support. Kristina attributes her success to her mother, who instilled a strong work ethic and passion through her own sacrifices and example. She advises young women entering education to keep their passion and 'why' at the forefront while always prioritizing the students.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kristina
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from my mother who sacrificed a lot, worked multiple jobs, showed us what was important by example, took us on vacations, bused us to better schools, and instilled work ethic and passion without having to ask. She taught us to be hard workers and pursue things we're passionate about.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
A mentor told me it's easy to do what you know how to do, but what doors open when you step out and do what you think you can. This advice led me to switch from English to teaching math despite not being a math person, which changed my entire career trajectory and gave me resilience to tackle hard things.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep their passion first and foremost, always remember your why, the reason you got into it in the first place. If you keep that as your guiding light, you can have a bright career without getting jaded. Also, just keep the kids first.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Opportunity to branch out with my own consulting business in math coaching and instructional support, and leaning into AI and technology innovation in education. Challenge is navigating AI in schools with bans in places like NYC while kids still use it, inequity between districts that embrace it versus those that don't, especially impacting black and brown kids, and ensuring decisions involve voices of experienced classroom teachers.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Kristina
Bring Back the Village
Redefining Strength: Why Women Don't Have to Carry Everything Alone
We have mistaken Women's ability to bear heavy burdens to be proof that she should bear them alone. Women have always had a lot to carry but in todays society we see that women are expected to take care of the home and work and be ambitious without help. Many Women do not live in proximity with family and friends and find that they are bearing the brunt of the household chores, school tasks, raising kids and sometimes raising husbands!
Bring back the village!
We need to prioritize finding people that we can collaborate with in ways that make our lives more manageable. Yes, we are strong, but does that mean that we have to carry the heavy load? Yes, we are more reliable, but does that mean that we have to have the final say-so on everything? Just because She can figure it out doesn't mean that she should have to figure it out all alone.
Sometimes the exhaustion isn't from the tasks but the mental load.
Thinking about the house, the kids, the marriage, the parents, the job, our own schooling and advancement can be overwhelming. The village is more than having people around you. It is about having people who are invested in your life, people who show up and show out!
There are people who ask to babysit for a date night, take them up on the offer. A friend checks in and asks how you are doing, tell the truth instead of saying "I'm ok". Your husband/partner/friend asks to help with something, say yes! Some things may not get done the way you want them to get done but take the help that is extended to you.
Finding peace means letting go.
Support is not weakness, it helps to build a more solid foundation and infrastructure for your life. We don't have to choose between living our ambitious life and a life of peace and contentment. With support and a village we truly can have it all.
Take an audit of those around you. Which relationships are you the dependable one vs. able to be yourself. Where can you let go of mental load and stress? How you support another Woman who needs help as well? We never grew up dreaming to be the one who did it all.
What is your definition of success?
For me, its not about being the one who can hold the heaviest load. I want a life that can find rest and peace. I want a life that is balanced and has love. I want a life where I can fulfill my purpose in a way that propels me forward while holding on to the hands of my sisters. Let's build communities of Women who are willing to help each other carry their burdens and give them spaces to rest. Together we can truly take on anything.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.