Rychinda brings a decade of experience in education, with a background spanning elementary and middle school teaching, instructional coaching, teacher development, curriculum and professional learning, and instructional leadership. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, she has worked in both traditional and charter school settings and has supported educators at various stages of their professional development.
Prior to joining the Institute for School Partnership at Washington University, Rychinda served as Senior Instructional Faculty, where she supported teacher residents and practicing educators in strengthening instructional practice, developing the knowledge and mindsets necessary for effective teaching, and using data to improve outcomes for students. She has also taught both Science Content Methods and Mathematics Content Methods in Washington University’s Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning program, supporting aspiring educators in deepening their content knowledge and translating that knowledge into rigorous and meaningful classroom instruction.
Rychinda is passionate about educator development and science education. She believes that because science is life, every classroom should have access to high-quality science curriculum that supports inquiry-based learning, as well as the professional learning and support educators need to implement it effectively. She is especially interested in helping educators create classrooms where students are encouraged to ask questions, investigate the world around them, make sense of evidence, and see themselves as capable scientists and learners.
Rychinda holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Avila University and a Master of Science in Learning and Curriculum from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Outside of work, Rychinda enjoys spending time with her partner, dog Midnight, trying new restaurants, reading and building LEGO sets.