QACHS Dance Instructor, QACHS Fine Arts Department Chair, QAC Lead Teacher for the Performing Arts

My name is Kristen (Ollock) Tyler.  I was born and raised in Queen Anne’s County, and I have been dancing for more than 38 years.  At first I studied Ballet and Tap, but as my interests grew I expanded my studies to Modern and Jazz dance.  I pursued my love for dance at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia, where I double majored in Dance and Education.  As a student at R-MWC I had the opportunity to dance and perform with/for various dance artists including the Paul Taylor Company, Garth Fagan (choreographer of the Lion King), Pilobolus Dance Theatre, and several founding members of the Martha Graham Dance Company, to name just a few.  While at R-MWC, I also wrote the dance curriculum for QACPS.

          Upon my graduation from R-MWC I accepted a job teaching dance at QACHS in the morning, and teaching Kindergarten at Centreville Elementary in the afternoon.  After three years with this schedule I moved to Kent Island High School where I coached the dance team and taught dance full time for two years before returning to QACHS.  With my love for musical theatre, I have choreographed the past 19 musicals for QACHS, and I plan to do so again this year.  I graduated with my Masters degree in Public School Administration/School Leadership and became certified Admin. II in May of 2009.  I serve as QACPS Lead Teacher for the Performing Arts, and I was the Vice President on the Board of Continuum Dance, a professional modern dance company right here on the Eastern Shore.  Over the last 22 years I have written and expanded the Dance Curriculum for QACPS.  I am a Mary Kay Consultant, I continue to teach dance at a studio in Easton, and I am a proud mother of two beautiful boys and a girl!

          This is my 20^th year teaching for Queen Anne’s County Schools and I am thrilled to be at QACHS teaching dance full time and continuing to watch the program that I have helped to develop, grow.  I look forward to meeting all of you and working closely with you.  I became a teacher because I believe in empowering and educating students.  To do my job well I need your support!