Hi my name is Kristy and I am a full time Mom and a part time teacher. I grew up in Connecticut but moved to Tucson my sophomore year and graduated from Catalina Foothills High School.
It was summer when we moved here and it was over 100 degrees! When I went down to the school to register, they asked me if I wanted to join the cross country team. They told me the runners were leaving to go to camp in the White Mountains on Monday. What a perfect way to escape the heat! I signed up right away! This began of my love of running, my favorite past time today.
After high school, I attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and graduated with my Masters in Arts and Teaching in Elementary and Special Education. I taught in Mesa Public Schools before moving back to Tucson to be closer to my parents. I taught in Flowing Wells School District at Walter Douglas Elementary and then at Flowing Wells Junior High where I also coached cross country and track.
My daughter was born in 2011, and I went back to teaching full time, but when my son was born in 2013, I made the decision to stay home with my kids. When it was time for my son to go to preschool, I decided to work at his school and became a teaching assistant and then a lead preschool teacher.
When COVID hit, I finished up the school year teaching virtually, but when my kids were starting their school year online this fall, I decided to stay home with them (again!) to provide some much needed support. Once they went back in person, I became a substitute teacher at their school. I fell in love with their school and accepted a part time teaching job for the fall. I am so happy to be at the same school as my children, doing the job that I love so much!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband Angelo and I have been married for 13 years and we have two beautiful children Julia age 10 and Andy age 7.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have taught elementary special education, junior high social studies, and early childhood education. In the fall I will be teaching part time special education. What I love most about my career is working with kids and seeing their growth and development. The smile they get on their faces when they have accomplished something they did not think was possible is amazing!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love El Charro, El Torero, El Cisne, basically all the best Mexican restaurants in Tucson. We also love Vivace for special occasions like our anniversary dinners.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived in Tucson since 1997, leaving for Texas for college and then coming back. I love it here! I don’t think I will ever leave again!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
The most interesting person I have met in Tucson is my former principal, Pete Wells. He is now the director of TROT (Therapeutic Riding of Tucson) and is the funniest man you will ever meet! As a principal, he danced with the Funkstangs in the teacher talent show act, and he knew every child’s story. He has such a giving heart and is the most optimistic person I know!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would take my daughter to Hawaii to see a real live sea turtle. They are her favorite animal and she wrote a poem about them that won the 4th grade poetry contest. I am trying to save up money to take her there this spring.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I love movies that make me laugh and older movies like The Breakfast Club. I have that whole movie memorized. My daughter and I love to watch Babysitters Club together and snuggle on the couch.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I would say set big goals for yourself. I never thought in a million years I would get to run the New York Marathon but I trained so hard and finished the race with a Boston Qualifying time in 2019. Never give up on your dreams! And keep showing up for yourself and for others.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I have always wanted to try zip lining, and guess what? Tomorrow, I am going with my daughter and her friend to Arizona Zipline! I will let you know how it goes!
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I like anything upbeat and funky like PINK or Maceo Parker. I usually get stuck listening to Kidz Bop in the car!
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
El Torero was my dad’s favorite restaurant. We went there as a family all the time. My Dad passed away five years ago and to go there without him is tough, but I still love their enchiladas!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would choose Chris Farley because he was such a funny comedian. I would take him to Eclectic Cafe and we would sit outside on their patio and crack jokes and I would tell him that he is so talented and special and not to do drugs because he died way too young.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love our running community here in Tucson. My team is called 520 Running and Riding. If you talk to runners in other cities, they will tell you that there is nothing like that in their city that is free, welcoming and so supportive of all runners, walkers, and bikers no matter your pace or your goals. It is truly a blessing to be a part of it!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself finishing the Boston Marathon! I am hoping to qualify again since I didn’t get to run it due to COVID and the smaller race field. My goal is to run the Tucson Marathon in December with a fast enough time to make it into the in person race. That is my dream! I see myself continuing to exercise and take care of my body and be an example to my kids so I can be there for them and for their grandkids someday.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Something interesting about me is that I can still do a back handspring from my middle school gymnastic days! I did it at a pep rally once and the kids thought I was a real ninja! Ha!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The most beautiful place I have ever been is the Phoneline Trail in Sabino Canyon at sunrise. It’s so beautiful to watch the sun come up over the mountains. I still am amazed that we get to live here in this gorgeous desert!
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is July because it’s my birthday month and it’s Eegees watermelon flavor of the month! My favorite holiday is July 4th because I love our country and I love to dress up in red, white and blue and watch fireworks and eat ice cream. The best single day on the calendar is my daughter’s birthday because that was when I first became a Mom and also my son’s birthday when I became a boy Mom.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I would rate Tucson sunsets as a 10 out of 10 because the colors are so vibrant and they change each evening so you never get the same show twice.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My kids inspire me to be better because they constantly challenge me to be patient, kind, understanding, fun, active, and healthy.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
My favorite smell is chocolate chip cookies baking in my oven! The Nestle Toll House recipe printed right on the bag of course!
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
comforting, laughter, heart
For All That You Do,
Thank you Kristina Bonet from The Faces of Tucson.
We Appreciate You