Mrs. Kimball

Back to School Welcome

I LOVE AEW.

I love AEW. I am starting my thirty-fourth year here; it is truly my second home. I have taught all three grade levels, but 6th and 7th grade are my absolute favorites. For many years, I taught both English and physical education, but after a thrashing from the wind, rain, heat, and cold, I went back to teaching solely English. In the last decade+ or so, I have become a technology nerd. My classroom is paperless meaning that computers have not just replaced paper, but more importantly, digital activities, teaching, and learning have opened opportunities for a more differentiated, meaningful, purposeful classroom. Technology is a powerful tool to unlock creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking in the classroom and on a global level.

EDUCATION

I graduated from CSUN with a Bachelor's degree in English. I went on to earn my CA teaching credential and a Master's in Secondary Education, English. I have a CA supplement in physical education. I love to learn. I am always reading and looking for new learning opportunities to help me become a better teacher.


GROWING UP

For the first ten years of my life, I grew up in La Habra, CA, where I walked to school, rode bikes in the neighborhood until it was dark, and played cops and robbers with the friends on my street. In second grade we were assigned career projects. Mine was titled, "Kristy, the Teacher." There was never any doubt of what I wanted to be. We moved to Hacienda Heights when I was eleven. I went on a recruiting trip to some place called "Northridge" in "the valley" and thus, my volleyball career continued. In 1983 we were DII National Champions and the next year, runners-up. When my volleyball career ended, I started coaching and got the girls job at Calabasas. I started a boys team as well and have very fond memories of both. During this time, I student taught at Calabasas and AEW, and I never left! I had three amazing master teachers who helped shape who I am professionally today: Lorraine Meyer, Sue Enrico-Perry, and Joan Cox. When my husband and I started our family, I had to give up the coaching. My love for teaching and learning grows every year

MY FAMILY

My husband and I raised our children in Ventura County in the CVUSD, another exemplary school district. My son, Tyler, was the conductor of the band at University California, Berkeley, and then went on to earn his Master's in conducting at Long Beach State. My daughter, Katelyn,  graduated from Cal Lutheran University, where she also played soccer, spent a couple of seasons as a ski/snowboard instructor at Mammoth and will be finished with nursing school in December. My second daughter, Kelsey, graduated from UCSD where she also played on the soccer team. My most favorite time of year is in the summer when my brother, sister and their families, and my mom and dad, vacation together in one giant house in Lake Tahoe.

Son Tyler, wife Kaitlin, and Elo

Daughter Katelyn and big Ellie

Daughter Kelsey and puppy Ellie

Meet my granddaughter, Elowen!


MY FAVORITES

Top Three or Four (not in order)              

Books:       Places:                                            Shopping:

Movies:     Workouts: