Kiersten currently lives in New Mexico with her mother and Irish Wolfhound. She taught high school and college for 25 years and retired in 2025. She has a Master of Science in Equine Exercise Physiology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, a Level III Teaching license in New Mexico, and has a National Board-Certified Teaching license in Biological Sciences for Secondary Education. In her spare time, she loves to play with her dog, kayak on the lake, ride her bike, and travel with her mom and dog.