Meet: Kimberly Berry: Education Specialist @Caliber: ChangeMakers

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Words about Kimberly from her coworkers: 
"Kim is such an amazing teammate and leader. She is always there to help and such a wealth of knowledge. We are so lucky to have her!"

"Kim is a compassionate leader, educator, and team member that roots her practices in what is best for students. She has been an invaluable team member that has help create a space  of community and learning. Thank you Kim for all that you do."

"Kim is a fantastic colleague. I appreciate all the ways that she partners with the middle school team and advocates for students! So many of our students have benefited academically from her instruction and guidance. She is a well respected and appreciated member of our team!"

"Kim is a calm, kind presence whenever I see her on-campus.  She holds high expectations for students and is always open to partner and collaborate to help them be their best selves."




A recent interview with Kimberly: 
What is your favorite thing about  Caliber?
I love the people I work with at Caliber! I love that my colleagues are caring, driven, passionate, hilarious, loving, positive individuals who never stop thinking about how to help our students grow academically as well as socially and in emotional intelligence.

What was your favorite subject  in school and why?
It was a tie between English and Science. I love reading, but writing was always difficult for me. Science is at the top of my list because of the experiments and hands on learning. Currently, I like teaching math the best because I find the different ways that students solve the same problem to be really interesting.

What is your favorite memory associated with music (maybe a memorable concert, or playing an instrument yourself!)?  
I love music--especially live music, so this is a tough question.  A few weeks ago, a group of friends and I stayed at a rickety old cabin in Anderson Valley. The cabin didn't have electricity, so when it got dark we filled the common space with dull, glowing candlelight. There was a piano in the corner, a guitar on the couch, and a clarinet under the coffee table. One of the guests had brought a harmonica and another a banjolele (look it up if you haven't heard of that). None of us would claim to know how to play more than a few notes on any of the instruments. After dinner, someone wandered over and began playing the guitar. Another friend followed and tinkered with the piano. Everyone joined in and we had an impromptu jam session. I played the clarinet as a teenager, but haven't picked one up in more than ten years. I tried it out and realized that my muscle memory was still there. I would normally be self-conscious in that type of situation, but instead I was overcome with gratitude and joy for the space away from daily distractions and the opportunity to be creative.
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If you could go on a dream vacation, what would you do + where would you go?
Right now, exploring southern Africa is on the top of my list.  I want to go on a walking safari in Zambia and hike Table Mountain in Cape Town.    
 
What is your favorite thing about the Bay Area (or specifically Vallejo)?
I love the diversity! In Vallejo, it's the diversity of the community. In the Bay Area in general, it's the diversity of landscape. I can hike though a forest to a beach on the ocean. That is so amazing!

What is one fun fact that most people don't know about you?
After college I served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia. I lived there for 3 years and also met my husband there.