Hi. I'm Kristine.
Though Learning with a Smile was founded in 2013, my journey began years earlier in rural Barbados. While teaching math and English, I discovered my love for education.
A brief stint in HR confirmed my passion for counseling, but I missed working with students. After earning my master’s degree, I became a Professional School Counselor in a top district.
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There, I noticed a familiar struggle:
Students were bright and capable but often frustrated, stressed, and discouraged despite support.
Teachers worked tirelessly putting out fires, with little time or training to address underlying challenges.
Parents knew their children's performance didn't match their potential, but constant nagging left relationships strained and motivation low. They were frustrated, fed up, and searching for help.
It wasn’t the fault of students, teachers, or parents—it was the system itself. Students were expected to manage tasks without the necessary skills. Parents provided content tutors to boost grades, but sessions weren’t laying the foundational groundwork necessary for success. Students’ confidence was fractured, relationships strained, and results nonexistent.
That’s when I felt inspired to create Learning with a Smile—to teach the foundational skills needed for academic and workplace success, helping clients gain confidence, rediscover their love of learning, and truly thrive.
Looking back, I realize I was that very student. I was bright but overwhelmed, managing well enough to stay under the radar. I struggled to balance academics and athletics, felt paralyzed by my workload, and simply didn’t know how to work efficiently.
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Looking back, I simply lacked executive functioning skills.
What I really needed was Learning with a Smile; I needed guidance, support, and strategies. I needed "me."
