ABOUT KIM
Extremely shy as a kid
I was that kid that never raised their hand in school. I was extremely shy and didn’t talk to adults much. My mom said I didn’t talk to my cello teacher at all.
I remember being socially awkward. Today they would have labeled it as social anxiety. Eight grade was my worst year, as I felt like all my friends hated me. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that was my perception at the time, but was not the actual truth. I created the class/camps that would have helped me navigate life and make it a little more joyful and manageable.
Got my dream job
At the age of 9 I knew I wanted to become a special education teacher. I pursued my dream and really enjoyed my job the first 5 years. The last years of teaching, things got tougher as my case load increased and I felt more and more like I wasn’t doing enough to help the children. I resigned shortly before my first child was born. In order to keep my teaching certificate current I took classes in the Yoga Calm method founded by Portlanders Jim and Lynea Gillen. There I fell in love with the emotional and social activities they provided in their curriculum.
Time to move on
I have always been an avid seeker in personal growth. I have taken numerous workshops in self-development and love the experiential mode of learning (as opposed to lecture). My passion has switched from teaching academics to teaching personal growth. Because of my shyness as a child I make sure to make a safe space for kids to express and be themselves in my classes and camps. I am very conscientious about the words I choose, striving to be encouraging and kind.
Courage is key
One of my strengths is using courage to do scary stuff. I love pushing past my comfort zone, even though I often dread activities before I do them. Improv is a mix of scariness, excitement and pure silliness that I love. I’ve recently joined Toastmasters which I ‘thought’ about doing the past 5 years as I want to become a better public speaker and perhaps even enjoy it!!
My mission is to give girls a safe space to be themselves, guide self-discovery, and connect with others through play and creativity.
My classes consist of conversations, experiential learning, improv games and guided relaxation. I approach each class with curiosity and ask questions to facilitate kids coming up with their own solutions.
I live in SW Portland. I have two kids Jack (20) and Julia (18). I run workshops, weekly classes, and camps for girls in ages 4th grade on up as well as workshops for parents. I play fiddle, guitar, love to do improv, and travel.
Trainings/ Education
MS in Special Education
Girl Meets World with Rachel Simmons and Simone Marean
Facilitator Training 101 with Michelle Cummings
EPIC Facilitator Training Retreat with Marli Williams
Classes in Improv and DvT (Developmental Transformations)
Classes taught by Lisa Weiner based on Gordon Neufeld’s methodology
- Making sense of Anxiety
- Making sense of Adolescence
- The Alpha Child
Inspired by: Lorie Ladd, Brene Brown, Marie Forleo, Rachel Simmons, Lisa Damour, Byron Katie, Gordon Neufeld,