Daily Inspiration: Meet Kimberly Walden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Walden.

Hi Kimberly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After graduating from Emory University in 2005, I got a job as a special education teacher. I taught special education self-contained in Newton County for 16 years. I absolutely loved my job as an educator, and it was definitely a calling from God. Many days were spent ensuring that my students were performing to the best of their ability. I believed in them. I cared about them. I loved them. I still keep in touch with many of them, many now adults, today. In 2023, I received an offer to take a Principal position at a private school that served students with special needs. Our World School was a dream come true. I was now able to educator, mentor, and uplift fellow educators (my staff) so that they could meet the academic, social, and behavioral needs of their students. To date, I have been the Principal of Our World School for almost three years. It has been a wonderful experience. Our school has experienced tremendous growth, in number and the service that we provide. I could not be more proud. Aside from work, I am wife (of 10 years) and a mother to three wonderful children, Kayden (9), Jaxon (8), and Gracelyn (6). I also coach Miracle League (special needs baseball league) in Newton County.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My struggles becoming Principal are similar struggles that all leaders face. Building a culture where excellence and responsibility is the expectation. First and foremost, I am an educator. I hold myself to a high standard and expect a lot from my staff as well. I encourage them daily to set high expectations for their students. My struggle is when people do not meet my expectations.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Principal at Our World School, a private school that specializes in instruction of students with special needs. My Master’s degree is in Special Education and I specialize in students that are taught using an adapted curriculum. As an Autism mom myself (my oldest son has Autism), teaching students with Autism is my passion. I am most proud of the years that I put into teaching such a unique population of student. I love the creativity and thought that goes into adapting a lesson to reach their individual learning styles. I also love their love of learning.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice is to always have expectations for even your lowest-performing students. Many of these students have limitations and deficits and do not allow those working with them to see their full potential. There is a lot of knowledge that goes unnoticed because they are not expected to perform. Many of these students are brilliant. They have to be challenged and expected to do more than we ever think possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ourworldschool.org