Strength in Team Staff Spotlight: Kim Kerr, UA Online Academy

In this biweekly staff spotlight, we will be highlighting the people who contribute to the strength of our team by making our schools and our district such a special place for students. 

Kim Kerr, math, UA Online Academy

How do you contribute to your school/department and the school district as a whole? I have been in the district since 1999. During that time I spent most of my time (25 years) as a Math Teacher at the High School. At the High School I participated in different committees including the Building Leadership Team and the Algebra Professional Learning Community. I had the honor of working in the best department and have many wonderful colleagues and friends there. 

Since coming to the Online Academy (currently in my 2nd year), I have worked closely with the staff to help build the culture and set the expectations for students in the Online Academy. We are a group of 5 teachers and 1 administrator, and I am so happy to be a part of this team and value all of my coworkers and appreciate how welcoming and helpful they have been to me.  I have also worked as a mentor and participated in the Student Directed Learning Committee. 

What inspires you / motivates you in your role? Seeing students succeed and find a love for math has always been my inspiration. At the Online Academy, I am able to work one-on-one with students in person and on Zoom and help them find success in areas where they may have previously struggled. The personal connections that I have been able to make while helping students continues to motivate me daily.  I truly enjoy talking with each of my students during our Advisory Meeting each week to catch up on what is going on in their lives and to be able to help them through challenging situations.

What is a memorable moment, or your proudest moment, in the 27 years you have been with UA Schools? Some of my proudest moments have been hearing from students I have taught in the past. In April of 2023, I received an email from a former student where he said: “I was a student back in 2003/2004 in your class. You helped me find my calling as an educator when you invited me to start volunteering in the math lab and tutoring classmates. You set me on a path that has impacted me forever!”  This email was a reminder that we as educators don’t always see the impact we have on students’ lives. 

What brings you joy outside of work? Outside of work I spend most of my time with my family. My husband, Mike (a former UA teacher), and I enjoy taking walks with our dog, Kingston. As a family, we enjoy playing card games, board games, completing puzzles and playing pickle ball. We also enjoy traveling together whenever possible and sometimes to our favorite sporting events. 

My two sons, Gus (18) and Abe (15), continue to amaze me in how they are becoming young adults. Gus, with his engaging personality and love of flying, and Abe, with his tremendous work ethic and his passion for golf and baseball, bring joy and balance to my life outside of work. 

Reflections from Online Academy Principal Matt Jordan on Kim: Kim Kerr is an invaluable asset to the UA Online Academy. She works tirelessly at the Upper Arlington Hub, providing the one-on-one support needed to help students not only learn math but truly appreciate mathematical thinking. She uniquely blends rigorous instruction and expectations with a deep commitment to student connection.

Her impact is best illustrated by a student's recent description of her as a “FBI agent” because she is deeply invested in helping students and willing to work with students to ensure they understand the math. This level of trust and dedication has transformed the learning experience for many students. Ms. Kerr is a selfless team player who is always ready to jump in to help colleagues. Her devotion to both her students and her peers sets a high standard for excellence across the district.