My name is Kris McDonald. This is my 6th year teaching in Big Lake. I teach 9-12th Special Education at the high school. This was a second career choice of mine, fulfilling a dream of becoming a teacher. As I tell my students, there is no better job in the whole world than being able to work with them and teach them the skills they need to become successful independent individuals.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband, Josh, and I will celebrate our 20th anniversary this fall. We have two children, our oldest is in his first year of college at Montana State University and our daughter is a freshman at Big Lake High School. If we are not supporting our kids with their activities, we are camping, skiing, and spending time together. We have 2 dogs, Sadie & Mac.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
We have lived in Big Lake for 5 years, and I have worked in Big Lake for 6 years.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
After graduating from college, my first job was an Insurance Adjuster. Then I had the privilege to work alongside my Dad and manage his insurance agency. It wasn’t until a cancer diagnosis that I realized life is too short and I had always wanted to be a teacher and knew that it was time to fulfill that dream.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
Krispy Yamaguchi. That was given to me by my childhood best friend’s dad because I was a figure skater. Krispy I guess is a funny way of saying Krissy.
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
Any good Hallmark movie, Golden Girls, and Friends. Movie: Home Alone
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Food: Spaghetti Drink: Milk
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Camping in our camper, spending time outside in the fall.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
Go to Fiji.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
Build a house in the mountains.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
Being diagnosed with breast cancer at 37 with having such a young family.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That I wasn’t so OCD about things.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
My Grandma Lou and my husband Josh who has supported me through everything.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Deciding to go back to college to obtain my teaching license and Masters in Special Education.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
Willy’s on the Water, Dairy Queen, & Pizza Factory
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
That is still has the small town feel.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Embrace everything the community has to offer and to get involved.
