Kristi Swinnea works as a high school Family and Consumer Sciences Education teacher with a background in Interior Design
Kristi Swinnea received her bachelor's degree in Interior Design in 1990 and her master's degree in Home Economics, now referred to as Family and Consumer Sciences Education, in 1992 from Texas Tech University. Swinnea currently works as a Family and Consumer Sciences Education (FCSE) high school teacher.
In her role Swinnea works with students in many different areas and life skills. The knowledge learned in Family and Consumer Sciences Education courses not only teaches students about educational material but also has personal life benefits. She said she loves getting to teach students about a variety of interests.
“I have had the opportunity to teach everything from interior design and fashion design to child development and interpersonal studies,” Swinnea said. “FCES classes are naturally engaging, and I love interacting with the students as they participate in such a ‘hands-on' learning environment.”
Swinnea has used both her Interior Design and Family and Consumer Sciences Education degrees to make an impact in the classroom. She uses her passion for Interior Design to get students excited to learn and interested in the material.
“Not only did my degree programs do a great job of preparing me for teaching in FCSE, but they also helped grow and maintain my passion for the subject areas, particularly interior design,” Swinnea said. “I think students can tell I am excited about what I do and teach, and they respond by developing those same interests.”
The Interior Design and Family Consumer Sciences Education programs help students succeed in various career fields. Specifically, The FCSE program prepares future educators in many areas through professional instruction and experienced faculty. Swinnea said she recommends the FCSE program to those who want to teach.
“I can't imagine a better experience than what I was able to have at Texas Tech in the Interior Design and FCSE programs,” Swinnea said. “From the learning experiences to the professors, I was certainly well equipped to be successful on the path I chose as an FCSE teacher.”
Swinnea was not the only one in her family to receive a degree from the College of Human Sciences and Texas Tech. Her son graduated with an engineering degree, her middle daughter graduated from the FCSE program in 2020, and her youngest will graduate in 2023 from the Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management (RHIM) program. Swinnea said she is proud of her children for carrying on the Texas Tech family legacy.
“I am really excited that all three of my children are Red Raiders,” Swinnea said. “My son is a 2019 graduate of the College of Engineering, my middle daughter is a 2020 graduate and is now an FCSE teacher at Friendship High School, and my youngest is a RHIM major that will graduate in May 2023!”