Kristi Stout, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development in the southernmost five counties in Illinois, which serves Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski, and Union counties.  Kristi resides outside of Mounds, Illinois with her husband, Bradley and two children. She possesses an Associates of Science degree from John A. Logan College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a Master of Science Degree in Education with a specialization in Reading and Literacy from Walden University, and is currently in a cohort pursuing her Educational Administration Degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Kristi’s experience working with youth includes teaching first grade, kindergarten, and serving within the Title One Reading program over the past twelve years. In the public school setting, Kristi has also provided organizational leadership by leading school-wide assessments that included the Response to Intervention Data team, plus served actively on the school safety committee and sponsor for the Junior High Beta Club. 

Kristi presented at the No Child Left Behind Conference in Chicago, Illinois promoting the Martha Speaks Reading Buddies program she implemented in her district and promoted to many Southern Illinois districts in partnership with WSIU and PBS. In addition, to her education experience, she has co-owned and managed a transportation company for ten years and performed roles such as maintaining fleet safety records and serving as head bookkeeper. Her education and business experience together have created a passion for preparing students for the adult world and all the challenges and accomplishments they will one day encounter.

Kristi was raised on a farm and has developed a love for agriculture, which makes it easy to reach out and teach students about agriculture and all it has to offer. Agriculture is more than just farming in Kristi’s eyes it impacts so much of all of our daily living. Careers, food development, wildlife, hunting, natural resources and more need to be shared to all students with and without a direct tie to a family farm. She plans to share her love for agriculture, passion to teach, and business experience to create well-rounded and meaningful experiences for students in the southernmost counties in Illinois.

Kristi was also an avid 4-H member from an early age through 4-H Federation. She attended many 4-H camps, participated at a local and state level showing projects, assisted at International Nights, and much more. Promoting 4-H, gathering volunteers and working with the needs of the community is needed to sustain the life-long success of 4-H.  Kristi’s proud to say her two children, Kevin and Abagayle, are also participating in 4-H and they have a growing passion for showing livestock.