Community message about passing of a UMaine graduate student

The public education communities on and off campus are mourning the loss of Kristin “Krissy” Miner, a talented teacher, and University of Maine alumna and current master’s student. She died this past weekend at the age of 42.

Krissy was a teacher at Downeast Elementary School in Bangor, Maine. She joined the UMaine educational leadership graduate program in 2016 and was in the final year of completing her M.Ed. Krissy received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from UMaine in 1998, and was a certified Reading Recovery teacher.

The following year, she started her teaching career at Helen S. Dunn Elementary School in Greenbush, Maine. She taught 5th grade, 7th grade and kindergarten/Reading Recovery. Beginning in 2004, Krissy was a longtime kindergarten teacher at Downeast Elementary School.

Krissy is remembered as a vibrant, caring educator who was constantly thinking of what was best for students, and was confident in her ability to reach the next level of her profession. She mentored UMaine education majors pursuing their preservice training in her classroom, and her peers in her graduate courses.

“Those who knew and loved Krissy considered her a teacher and leader who inspired and motivated others to constantly reach for high levels of student achievement, and to ensure that young learners had the social and emotional support they needed to succeed,” says Robert Dana, UMaine vice president for student life and dean of students. “She touched the lives of countless learners, of all ages, and will be deeply missed.”

The thoughts of the UMaine community are with Krissy’s sons and other family members and friends, and her many students and colleagues in the education communities on and off campus. Information about the upcoming memorial service is online.

UMaine students, faculty or staff in need of support can contact the Counseling Center, 207.581.1392, the University’s Employee Assistance Program, 877.622.4327, or the Dean of Students Office, 207.581.1406.