Kimbrell Smith

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT KIMBRELL SMITH

A transformative educational experience begins with being truly known and empowered to know the world. Throughout my career, I have worked to help families and schools provide a deep and meaningful learning path, as well as excellent social and emotional support that enables children to lean into their unique gifts and become confident lifelong learners and thriving human beings. For more than sixteen years, I have had the honor of realizing my purpose through serving students, families, schools, and community groups as an educator, counselor, and consultant. A native Atlantan, I am a graduate of The Westminster Schools, The University of Georgia with a B.S. in Political Science, and Candler School of Theology at Emory University where I earned a Master of Divinity with a focus in pastoral counseling. I was later ordained by the Presbyterian Church (USA) through which I served two local churches and worked as an interfaith chaplain in both school and hospital settings, while simultaneously completing all coursework required for licensure as a marriage and family therapist. My true calling is education. I’ve served both elementary and high school students in four local independent schools as a classroom teacher, chaplain, college counselor, and lower school counselor in charge of outplacement. In 2011, I founded Teegarden Education Group where I partnered with families and schools to know, honor, and encourage students along their unique educational journey. A CNN education contributor and frequent speaker in the community, I am also a mother through birth, adoption, and foster care, and a fierce advocate for the safety and well-being of all children.