Krista Visser graduated from the University of Michigan- Flint and Ann Arbor when she received her undergraduate degree and teaching certificate. She graduated with rainbow cords for her work as an ally with the LGBTQIA+ community.
After graduating, Visser was a classroom teacher for 8 years, mainly in middle school and upper Elementary teaching English Language Arts and History. Visser never originally had her sights set on being a principal as she loved being a classroom teacher. However, one year Visser was asked to help the curriculum director at her school to align the social studies curriculum for the district. During this time, the curriculum developer encouraged Visser to become an administrator, so Visser enrolled in a master’s program at Concordia University in Ann Arbor.
At this point Visser was hoping to become a curriculum director, but realized that the path there often required being a principal first. At Concordia University, Visser earned her master’s degree in Educational Leadership with a dual concentration of Curriculum and Instruction. Before taking the job as Principal at Ann Arbor Open, Visser served as Principal at Whitmore Lake Public Schools and at Pine Creek Elementary in West Ottawa. Visser said that now, 12 years later she feels incredibly fulfilled in her role as a principal.
Ann Arbor Open
Ann Arbor Open serves students in their Young 5’s program through the 8th grade. They are considered a multi-age school, which means that many of the classrooms have 2 grade levels within them. Their program values learning through not only academics, but also play, interest, and the environment around them. The location of Ann Arbor Open enables students to safely explore and learn from their environment as there are many parks and establishments nearby within walking distance. Part of the playground is a natural playground and there are chickens taken care of by students, families and the whole A2Open community.
Visser described that a few times a year, the entire school gets together to engage in “focus studies.” During a focus study week, students individually choose a topic that they are interested in such as baking, drums, all things Hamilton, creative writing, comics, and so many more. These are led by staff and parents/family members. Students, families, and staff fully immerse themselves in their chosen topic of learning for an hour each day…