Kris truly believes that all of us have a role to play in education. She works every day to demonstrate that the relationships children have inside and outside the classroom are crucial to helping them reach their potential regardless of their circumstances.
Kris embarked on her educational career after the murder of her husband, Bob Mars, a middle school teacher and coach, in 2004 by two adolescents. Both individuals led troubled lives and struggled in school. Bob had always encouraged her to pursue teaching, seeing Kris' potential to help students succeed. She took that mission to heart and began a whirlwind journey to ensure students from backgrounds similar to her husband's killers avoid the same destructive path. She holds the sincere belief every student can be exceptional.
Kris began teaching in 2012 as a reading specialist at Hawthorne Elementary. She has stayed at the school ever since, becoming a second-grade teacher in 2013, and in 2017, moving into third grade.
Kris' lessons meet each student's needs and her classroom activities challenge them to meet goals. She does this while keeping her students perpetually in motion. Kris uses songs, chants, and dances to give students mental breaks, to reinforce concepts, and make learning fun. She is known for dressing up in costumes to get her students' attention. Neither her room nor her lessons could ever be considered boring.
Kris cultivates relationships with students and their parents so that they know they can accomplish anything. She shares her research, activities, and ideas with fellow teachers so that they can apply them to their teaching. She encourages community members to get involved in the school. She is dedicated to making each sure every student knows their village is there for them.
“We all know a great teacher when we see one,” says assistant superintendent Greg Fancher. “Some folks say the best teachers have an ‘it factor’ that sets them apart from others. It is seemingly intangible and unteachable, and it is often said that some people are just born to be teachers. Kris Mars is one of those people. When you walk into her classroom you just know it is special place. The smiles on the kids' faces, the students' high level of engagement in the lesson, the energy and passion of the teacher for the work of the classroom are signs of the ‘it factor’ in Kris's room. Most importantly, it is a place where kids want to be, a place where they are inspired to learn. Kris is that teacher that every parent dreams of their kid having.”
