My name is Kim Maxwell and you could say, I’m a Veteran Teacher because this year will begin my 33rd year in education. I attended Purdue University after I graduated from high school in Indiana. My family soon moved to Tennessee and I transferred to UT Knoxville.  I earned my Bachelors of Science in Education. A few years later, I went to Middle Tennessee State University and received a Masters in Administration and Supervision.  My teaching philosophy is very simple and I’ve found it to be true: “Students do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care”-John C. Maxwell

As I grew up, I began to realize that there was one profession that I always wanted to be: a teacher. In high school, one of my teachers had a huge impact on my life.  This teacher inspired me and encouraged me and made me feel that I could do anything I wanted. I decided then, that I wanted to have an impact on children’s lives also. As teachers, we spend so much time with children and have the ability to make their days at school positive, educational, safe spaces and are also able to develop relationships that will help them find their strengths so they can believe in themselves and follow their dreams. I have taught grades 3rd-6th, but 5^th  grade has always been my favorite age group. Most of my time spent  teaching was math, however once I came to Battle Creek 3 years ago, I wanted a change and began to teach science.  I now love learning/teaching about science with the children!

On a personal level, I have been married 36 years and have 2 grown boys that I am extremely proud of. (I even had the pleasure of teaching them math at Santa Fe Unit School where I spent most of my teaching years).  Both have now graduated from college at the University of TN Southern. One has a degree in Business and Accounting (must have been inspired by my math classes I taught him), while the other is a middle school teacher and coach in Pulaski. My other “babies” are a yellow lab and a goldendoodle. 

In my spare time, I enjoy going to the beach or the mountains.  I dream of going up the east coast one day. Last fall break, my youngest son and I went to Boston and Salem and thoroughly enjoyed that trip.  I also enjoy reading, photography, water skiing, and putting together puzzles with my husband.

I am excited each fall to be able to teach a new group of children and hopefully show them how much I care about them by inspiring a love of education while building new relationships.