Kimberly Haggard

Since I began teaching in 2006, I have taught at four schools. Three of the schools were Title One, and I have come to understand what it takes to connect with students who sometimes have tough and complicated home lives. I've been at this long enough I feel like I'm really starting to get this teaching thing down but, I'm reflective enough to realize that there is still much more I can do for my students. I have over the last several years embraced minimalism in my home life and am working towards incorporating it more into my classroom, from talking less, to reducing the amount of visual clutter in my classroom from instruments to posters. I'm working to take away the fluff and excess and get down to what's really important-- teaching great music to my great students.

Keep 'em busy! I believe the best defense is a great offense. Careful planning is the best way to maintain instructional momentum and minimize distractions in the classroom. It's always a good idea to have extra material ready to go in case they finish early. I love to laugh and joke with my kids and have fun while learning. I feel like sometimes as teachers we take ourselves too seriously. We are in the business of little people, and I want my students to learn and grow in a fun and safe environment. I am a big proponent of professional development and believe it is important to always push yourself to get better at teaching and classroom management through varied professional development opportunities.

Awarded the Katinka Daniel Scholarship from the Organization of American Kodály Educators, 2019; Inducted into Alpha Delta Kappa-an International Honorary Organization for Women Educators in 2018; Awarded a mini-grant for professional development from Alpha Delta Kappa, 2017; Fairglen Elementary's Teacher of the Year 2012-2013; Central Florida Orff Scholarship for Level One training in 2010

Bachelor's of Music Education- Stetson University 2006; Master's of Music Education- University of Florida 2010; World Music Drumming Level One- Nashville, TN 2009; Orff Level One- Stetson University 2010; Orff Level Two- Stetson University 2014; Certified in Kodály from Indiana University's Summer Kodály Institute 2016, 2017, & 2019; Certified in First Steps in Music-Melbourne, FL 2019; Certified in Conversational Solfege Levels One and Two, Eustis, FL 2018; World Music Drumming Level One- Nashville, TN 2009

Kimberly is a native Floridian. In her spare time, she enjoys working towards minimalism, reading, being creative, and going on adventures with her family.