Our goal is for all students to receive guaranteed, high quality curriculum and instruction. We want to empower teachers to design and deliver effective instruction , while equipping leaders to monitor and support student growth.

Student academic achievement factors

• A coherent curriculum (what we teach)

• Sound lessons (how we teach)

• Purposeful reading and writing in every discipline

It is my great honor to serve our district as the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning. I have been in education for 31 years with 14 of those being in Sunnyvale ISD. I have a Bachelor's Degree in English and Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. I served 10 years as an English teacher in grades 7-12 and one year as a 1st grade teacher. I also served as a school counselor, instructional coach, Assistant Principal, Principal and the Director of Professional Learning.

I have been married to my husband, John, for the past 28 years. John recently retired after 34 years in education and 14 years of being the AD/HD in Sunnyvale ISD. Our son, Ben is a 2017 graduate of SHS. He currently works in sales and marketing for Lime Media in Rockwall. Our daughter, Haley, is a 2019 SHS graduate. She is a registered nurse at Medical City Dallas.

Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year

My name is Kristen Nester.  I am the Literacy Coach for SES and SIS. Teaching requires a broad knowledge of subject matter, teaching strategies, curriculum, and standards; energy, a caring attitude, patience, and a love of learning; knowledge of discipline and classroom management techniques; and a desire to make a difference in the lives of our students. The list is endless. Teachers are Very Important People in our schools! They are the VIP's!!!  It is my hope, as an instructional coach, to support teachers through the continuous cycle of self reflection, learning, and practicing. The most simple definition of an instructional coach is a professional who is trained in how to help teachers become more effective in the classroom so that students improve in their academic performance. Coaches do this by helping teachers learn how to use "evidence-based" practices. Coaches help teachers integrate their talents and skills with practical teaching strategies to more effectively engage students and to maximize academic outcomes. It is my job to stay relevant in terms of knowledge of research-based teaching strategies so that I can assist teachers with implementing them into their classrooms. As an instructional coach, I will collaborate with teachers weekly to develop a clear picture of their current reality, identify instructional goals, select teaching strategies to meet the goals, monitor progress, and problem solve until goals are met. 

I began “teaching” at the age of four. My little sister and all of my stuffed animals were great students! I received my formal training at East Texas State University. I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in 1990. My degree is in Elementary Education with a Reading Specialization and a Kindergarten Endorsement.  I graduated with a Master's Degree from Amberton University in 2000. I am ESL certified. I am also certified to teach MTA. I completed the Reading Scholar Program at SMU in May 2018. This is my third year to be a Texas Reading Academy Literacy Coach and Cohort Leader.  My teaching experience includes four years of Kindergarten, thirteen years of First Grade, four years of Dyslexia MTA teaching with RTI Reading and an additional four years of RTI Reading . 

This will be my sixteenth year to work in Sunnyvale ISD. I have been married to my husband Mark for thirty-two years and we have two wonderful sons; Sam and Jake. 

I have a passion for teaching literacy across the curriculum. I look forward to supporting teachers as they implement The Science of Reading and best practices into their classroom instruction. It is my goal to support reading growth and proficiency in reading foundational skills for all of our K-5 Raiders.   

Kristen Nester

It is a pleasure to serve our teachers and students in our district as the Instructional Coordinator for K-5 Math/Science.  I have been in education for 29 years with 9 of those being in Sunnyvale ISD.  I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, and I received my Master's from Texas A&M - Commerce in Instructional Technology.  I have experience in grades K-12 in various roles that include classroom teacher, girls’ athletic coordinator, technology facilitator, gifted and talented teacher, and communications.

I have been married for 15 years to my husband Brian (teacher/coach at Rains High School in Emory).  I also have two step-children:  Dillon and Gracie.  We have two four-legged boxer fur babies named Boomer and Lucy.

My goal this year is to provide a supportive, collaborative working relationship with all teachers.  I will work alongside teachers as their supporter, believer and encourager.  Throughout the year, I will assist teachers in building an interactive classroom and serve as a resource in identifying appropriate instructional strategies and interventions to improve student achievement for all students.