teaching

My teaching brings feminist, care-centered, and justice-oriented approaches to the study of communication, media, and digital platforms. Across courses, I focus on helping students develop critical, analytical, and communicative capacities while situating media and technology within broader questions of power, identity, and social responsibility. I teach across communication, media studies, and gender studies, with an emphasis on digital culture, popular media, public speaking, and interpersonal communication. My classrooms are structured to support both intellectual rigor and accessibility, encouraging students to engage complex ideas while developing practical skills in writing, speaking, and critical analysis.

Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy is shaped by bell hooks’s articulation of the classroom as a space where our “capacity to generate excitement is deeply affected by our interest in one another, in hearing one another’s voices, and in recognizing one another’s presence” (Teaching to Transgress). This perspective informs my commitment to facilitation, dialogue, and collective learning. I approach teaching as a collaborative and evolving practice that emphasizes student agency, clarity of expectations, and transparent assessment. Rather than treating learning as a one-way transfer of knowledge, I design courses that invite students to question, analyze, and produce knowledge through discussion, applied projects, and reflective work. At the core of my pedagogy is the belief that access to education is a matter of justice, and that inclusive, adaptable course design is essential for meaningful learning across diverse institutional contexts.

Courses Taught
University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College
Department of English & Communication

Introduction to Communication Studies
Introduction to Effective Public Speaking
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
Introduction to Media Literacy
Business Communication

University of Cincinnati
School of Communication, Film, and Media Studies

Effective Public Speaking
Introduction to Mass Communication
Communication and Popular Culture
Business Communication
Introduction to Cooperative Education

Center for Exploratory Studies

Discovering UC (First-Year Experience)

University of Illinois Chicago
Department of Gender & Women’s Studies

Gender in Everyday Life

Department of Communication

Fundamentals of Human Communication
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication

Loyola University Chicago
School of Communication

Social Justice and Communication
Communication, Language, and Gender

Northern Kentucky University
Department of Communication

Public Speaking

Gateway Community and Technical College
Department of Communication

Interpersonal Communication

Selected Student Feedback
Rather than presenting exhaustive testimonials, the excerpts below highlight recurring themes across student experiences: mentorship, inclusive learning environments, clarity of instruction, and meaningful personal growth.

Mentorship and Student Support
“Krysten Stein was by far one of the most inspiring professors I was honored to have. She always made time to meet with us, built relationships beyond the classroom, and guided us not only academically but personally. Her teaching approach is one of the best I’ve seen.”

“Ms. Stein is hands-down the best instructor I’ve had. She helped me stay grounded during a traumatic time and supported me with kindness, empathy, and real guidance. What felt impossible at the time became possible because of her mentorship.”

“She made me feel seen in our discussions.”

“Professor Stein is one of the best people I have ever met. She could completely turn an awful day around.”

Classroom Climate and Engagement
“You helped develop one of the best class atmospheres in my college career. It was a safe space that was simultaneously academically stimulating.”

“It was by far my favorite class because she went beyond content, connecting with students and creating a positive, engaging environment.”

“Public speaking is such a big fear for many people, and having a teacher actually get the class excited about speaking is amazing.”

“Her passion and energy encouraged me to actively participate. This quickly became one of my favorite courses.”

Teaching Approach and Instructional Clarity
“She recognized that I was a visual learner and created a structure that I still use in my writing and presentations today.”

“The rubrics were clear and well organized, so I always knew what was expected.”

“She explained speech organization in a way that finally made everything click. Now I know how to build a speech from scratch.”

“The course was extremely well planned, and I learned a ton about writing outlines and giving speeches.”

Communication, Care, and Accessibility
“She always responds quickly and checks in to see how students are doing.”

“She was accommodating with life and technical issues while maintaining clear expectations.”

“Professor Stein was effective in communication and attentive to student needs. The class atmosphere was enough to brighten my day.”

Personal and Academic Growth
“Coming into this class I was nervous about speeches, but Professor Stein helped me become confident and strive for my goals.”

“Throughout this semester I became a much stronger public speaker, and I will carry these skills into future courses and job interviews.”

“This class helped build my confidence and changed how I see myself as a student.”

Teaching in Context
I have taught across research universities, regional campuses, and community colleges, as well as in online, hybrid, and in-person formats. This range has shaped my approach to course design, assessment, and accessibility, allowing me to adapt pedagogy to different institutional missions while maintaining consistent intellectual rigor. Across roles, my teaching reflects the same commitments that guide my research: attention to power, care, visibility, and participation in contemporary media and communication systems.