Speaker & moderator

Kirsten Cuppen

Kirsten Cuppen is a passionate speaker and moderator who inspires people through her personal and thought-provoking story, encouraging them to truly see and understand one another, both in education and beyond. As a former Teacher of the Year and finalist for the Global Teacher Prize, she shares her experiences in an energetic and reflective style, highlighting the essence of education, inclusion and personal growth. Whether opening or closing an event or facilitating discussions as a moderator, Kirsten delivers sessions that leave a lasting impression and inspire meaningful change.

Rate indication: € 1,500 to € 2,499
Available for booking as: Speaker Day chairman
Languages: Dutch English

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030-3040025

About Kirsten Cuppen

Kirsten grew up in Tilburg and knows from personal experience what it feels like not to be seen. As a child, she struggled with bullying and the judgement of others. “She will never achieve anything,” one teacher once told her — a remark that left its mark but also motivated her to make a difference through education. She began her career in primary education before moving into secondary and vocational education. In 2021, she was named Teacher of the Year in vocational education in the Netherlands. Her story gained international recognition, earning her a place among the top 50 finalists for the Global Teacher Prize. Kirsten went on to work as a teacher educator at Fontys University of Applied Sciences and currently serves as a board member at Motile.nl and chair of the Blij(f) in het Onderwijs Foundation.

Personal and Thought-Provoking

Kirsten does not deliver polished presentations or superficial stories. She shares her own story — vulnerable, powerful and thought-provoking — and connects it to the everyday realities of education. She asks challenging questions, encourages her audience to see things from a different perspective, and sparks reflection and meaningful conversation. Her talks are moving, but they also inspire people to do things differently the very next day. Not from a place of guilt, but of hope. Grounded in the belief that every student matters, even when that is not immediately apparent.

Themes that Kirsten Cuppen focuses on

Sessions

In this keynote, Kirsten Cuppen shares her personal journey in education. She takes the audience through her experiences as a student, teacher and teacher educator, raising the questions that have driven her for over twenty years: Why do we do what we do? And why does our profession matter so much? Her story is relatable, sometimes confronting and often moving — always intended to inspire reflection. At a time when education is under increasing pressure, Kirsten reminds us of what truly matters: the human being.

Kirsten does not take the stage simply to deliver a message. She seeks connection, asks questions and invites the audience to think along with her. Her style is personal, energetic and disarming, with no endless PowerPoint slides, but plenty of humour, vulnerability and depth. Whether opening or closing a professional development day, Kirsten does not want to be a speaker who simply passes through, but someone who takes a moment to stand alongside you. Her story may not be unique, but it resonates deeply. And that is precisely why it makes such an impact.

In this session, Kirsten Cuppen shares her insights into what it means to be truly seen and heard, both in the classroom and beyond. Drawing on her own experiences as a student and as a teacher across all sectors of education, she demonstrates how to create a safe and inclusive learning environment in which every individual matters. Kirsten speaks not from theory, but from practice — as a former Teacher of the Year in vocational education in the Netherlands, a finalist for the Global Teacher Prize and someone who knows what it feels like not to be seen.

The session is personal, energetic and reflective. Kirsten invites the audience to examine their own assumptions, habits and blind spots, helping them discover where there is room for change. Whether it concerns students, colleagues or ourselves, the message is clear: when you truly look, you see more. Without judgement, but with empathy and curiosity. The result is an hour that not only inspires, but also encourages meaningful action.