For Kristen Cardwell, teaching is more than a profession; it is a calling rooted in passion, community, and connection. Kristen and her husband, Matt Cardwell, who coaches the boys' freshman basketball team at Cabell Midland, live in Ona with their two children, Luka, 5, and Avery, 7 months.

A graduate of Cabell Midland High School, Kristen went on to earn her undergraduate degree in English Education from Marshall University. She is currently in her final semester of graduate school at Marshall, completing her Master’s in Literacy. Now in her tenth year of teaching at Cabell Midland High School, she finds special meaning in working at the very school that shaped her.

“I’ve always loved school, especially reading and writing, and I really wanted to work with teens,” Kristen shared. “It felt like the perfect fit.”

Kristen teaches ninth-grade English, a unique and sometimes challenging age group. Freshmen are navigating the transition to high school while also discovering who they are. “Ninth graders are at that point where a lot of them feel like they’re above it all and that school isn’t fun anymore,” Kristen said. “I love those moments when I look around the room, and they’re laughing, engaged, and having so much fun that they don’t even realize they’re learning.”

Cabell Midland’s size and strong sense of community are two of the things she appreciates most. “It’s a big school with a big community,” Kristen shared with Stroll Barboursville. “Students find lifelong friends in our programs and extracurriculars. Anyone can find a place where they fit in, and if they don’t feel like they can, there are plenty of staff members ready to help them find one.”

Teaching at her alma mater brings a special sense of pride. Kristen now works alongside some of the very teachers who once taught her. “I still call them ‘Mr.’ and ‘Mrs.’ because it feels too weird not to,” she said with a smile. “It’s a tight-knit area to live in and a great school to work at. I’m proud to be part of both.”

Kristen enjoys games of all kinds, from board games and card games to sports and even video games. She also loves reading and spending time with friends and family, especially with grandparents nearby who play a big role in her children’s lives.

For those considering a career in education, Kristen offers thoughtful advice. “Choose a subject and age group you’re passionate about and lean on your peers,” she said. “Find someone who will lift you up, let you vent, and share materials. Build relationships with your students. Treat them like they matter, and they’ll return the favor. Teaching is hard work, so don’t take the decision lightly.”

For Kristen Cardwell, teaching is not just about lessons and grades; it is about relationships, laughter, and helping students discover that learning can still be joyful.