Kristin Mathews

Dr. Kristin Mathews has extensive experience in both private and public education. She began her career teaching 3rd grade at a Christian school in Homewood, Illinois, after graduating from Wheaton College and earning her Illinois teaching certification in 2006. She eventually transitioned to a public middle school in Matteson, Illinois, where she taught speech and theatre and earned her master’s in educational leadership in 2013. She developed a drama program, directed productions, and coached basketball. She also piloted an RTI program and served on the school improvement team and the district’s Teaching Institute Planning Committee. 

Dr. Mathews later taught 8th grade English language arts, helped to pilot a gifted education program, and co-taught special education courses. She participated in professional development on various topics, completed her Charlotte Danielson Teacher Evaluator training, and served as a mentor teacher, team leader, and presenter. She operated as a district liaison for the National Board Resource Center through Illinois State University and earned her National Board Teacher Certification in 2020. Before joining ONU, Dr. Mathews received her school’s first Eagle Award and coordinated the district’s first virtual summer school during the Covid-19 Pandemic. 

While at ONU, she earned her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching from National University in 2025, focusing on the implementation of the Illinois’ Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards in educator preparation programs. She chairs the Center for Success’ CRTL Teacher Preparation Task Force and presents on best practices for culturally responsive teaching. She also presents to educators in Kankakee county on the topic of Universal Design for Learning.  

At Olivet, Dr. Mathews she has presented during Scholar Week, International Education Week, Faculty Development Sessions, and chapel.  She teaches Seminar I: Teachers and Technology in the 21st Century, ELA & Social Studies Methods, Multicultural Classroom, First Year Seminar, coordinates the Elementary Education program.  She serves as the faculty sponsor for the Christian Education Association, Golden Apple Scholar Liaison, Honors’ student mentor, and social media coordinator for the School of Education. She believes that working with pre-service teachers provides her with an opportunity to mentor and encourage a new generation of educators to be the hands and feet of Christ in the schools where they will serve. 

When she is not actively engaging with the ONU community, she enjoys spending time with her husband Jerry and their three kids, Madelyn, Micah and Mya. They are active volunteers in their church’s children’s program and enjoy traveling as often as possible.