the women’s issue
THE EDUCATOR
DR. KIMBERLY FERRELL PRINCIPAL, BURTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Named Durham Public Schools 2019 Principal of the Year, Kimberly has held the position at Burton for the past five years. She received her bachelor’s in early childhood education from Fayetteville State University; her master’s in school administration and doctorate in educational leadership from N.C. State University. Boasting more than 25 years of experience in education, she began her career as an elementary school teacher for Franklin County Schools. Kimberly has one daughter, Marissa, 19, who attends East Carolina University.
As principal, how do you ensure your students are performing to the best of their capabilities?
Our students, family and community are our No. 1 customers. It is crucial that we provide stellar customer service so that they will always want to return. People will not remember what you say to them, but they remember how you make them feel. We are a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School where building positive relationships with all stakeholders and nurturing the whole child is the focus of our work. Can you explain further what it means to be a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School?
Kimberly with several of her second-grade students at Burton.
It’s just a framework for building positive relationships with students, making sure that we embrace them and meet them where they are. Make sure we embrace their families, make sure we embrace the community. [We had to] increase our student achievement, increase attendance, make sure we increased our teacher capacity to be able to work with all types of kids. The call to be a servant leader. I take my role as an instructional leader seriously. I set the tone for the school culture and student achievement. My challenge is to make Burton a better place for students, families and staff. My service is that of commitment and dedication to improving outcomes. What gets you out of bed in the morning?
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At my last school, I tutored a young man who struggled in reading. When he took the end-ofgrade testing for reading, he made a level 4 for the first time. His family was so excited about his progress on the test. At the beginning of our tutoring sessions, I would encourage him to be confident in his ability to pass the assessment. I helped build his confidence through believing that he would work hard to earn a level 4 or 5. This young man now enjoys reading, and he is graduating from high school with honors. Talk about one of your proudest moments.
My dad always says, “Let what work you do speak for you.” – Adam Phan What’s a philosophy you live by?