About Kim Campbell
PROUD MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER AND DARING DEAN OF STUDENTS
The Story Behind the Speaker
Kim Campbell crosses the continent energizing educational professionals as a dynamic presenter and self-proclaimed “Proud Middle School Teacher.” Building on the lessons learned and techniques developed as a middle-level social studies teacher since 1991, Kim is in national demand as a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator.
At home in her Twin Cities, Minnesota metropolitan-area school district, Kim augments her classroom role with a position as her school's Dean of Students. She has also served in various leadership and committee positions including team leader, a member of the Equity and Literacy Teams, and a member of the Restorative Culture Team.
Kim is the founder and coordinator of a highly-successful after-school program called Students on Academic Rise (S.O.A.R.), developed to address the achievement gap. Her first book, S.O.A.R: A Handbook for Closing the Achievement Gap, is a manual for helping other school districts replicate this program that transports students to higher academic performance, self-awareness, self-esteem, and individual responsibility.
Her honors include semi-finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year (2004), one of nine Fox “Top Teachers” of the Year (2009), and Coleen Yatckoske Minnesota Middle Level Educator of the Year (2012).
Described by more than one observer as “a force of nature,” what makes Kim run? She says, “It's about building strong, positive relationships, having high expectations, and creating lessons that are relevant, engaging, and fun. I feel lucky every day to have chosen education as my lifelong career. There is no place I would rather be than working with students.”
As the co-author of S.O.A.R: A Handbook for Closing the Achievement Gap, Kim has created a guide for replicating the success of her revolutionary after-school program for disadvantaged students. She is also the author of If You Can't Manage Them, You Can't Teach Them and is in the process of completing her third book.
After thirty-two years in education, Kim says that she still loves it. Learn Kim's tips and techniques to look forward to every day as she translates theory into best practices with a trove of personal experience. Kim's direct and engaging style flavored with heart and humor make her a favorite with teachers, administrators, and students alike.
Named the 2012 Minnesota Middle Level Educator of the Year by Minnesota Middle School Association
Featured in AMLE’s
newsletter for her article,
Add a Little Spice
Featured in the Washington Post for her article, 10 Ways to Take the Struggle Out of Homework