Meet our Kindergarten Lead and Math Teacher, Tracy Kimball!
Tracy grew up on the East Coast. She attended Smith College and earned her bachelor's degree in American Studies with a focus in Education. After college, she planned and led political and international studies conferences for middle and high school students. LL Cool J's daughter was even one of her students! With a few years of curriculum planning under her belt, she joined Teach For America and taught 5th and 6th grades. This year is her 5th year as a classroom teacher. She moved to the Bay Area to raise twin cats, cheer on the Warriors, and escape the cold Massachusetts winters. She ended up at Caliber last year because she believes in Caliber's mission to use technology, SEL, and high academic standards to educate and raise children who are academically, emotionally, and socially prepared for all of life's challenges.
Learn more about Tracy from a recent interview!
1. What is your favorite thing about teaching K math? I love teaching math because there are so many different ways to solve a math problem. It brings me joy to see Kindergarten students think deeply about something as simple as the number 10.
2. What was your favorite subject in school growing up? My favorite subject was always Math... surprise! My favorite thing to do as a child was to pretend I could do "math tricks" to impress the adults in my life (like guessing the total cost at the grocery store down to the penny by age 7).
3. Did you always think you were going to become a teacher? I once thought I would be a museum curator. I interned at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC for one semester of college. The trouble was that while I was there I was more interested in volunteering my time at the Smithsonian Preschool than researching the museum installation I was working on. It was then that I knew I should go into education.
4. Favorite candy bar or sweet treat? Anything covered in chocolate or caramel is alright by me!
5. If you could go on a dream vacation, what would you do + where would you go? I would go to an island where I could snorkel, swim and relax.
6. What is your favorite thing about the Bay Area (or specifically about Richmond!)? I love that educators in the Bay Area are so thoughtful about the emotional and developmental needs of children. I think Restorative Justice, mindfulness, yoga, and reflection are crucial and create a welcoming school environment for children. I have taught in Colorado and Connecticut, but feel most at home in the Bay Area because of the focus on teaching to the whole child.
7. What is one fun fact that most people don't know about you? I once had breakfast with President Obama. When I was leading politics conferences for students in 2006, one of our field trips was for the students from Illinois to go to breakfast with their state's Senators in DC to learn more about policies being debated in their state. I tagged along and just a few months later President Obama ended up announcing his candidacy for president!
We urge you to come visit Tracy's magical classroom in Richmond. You will find her students focused, engaged, happy, and stretching their brains to the max each and every day!
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