Meet Kim Baggett
The 2022-2023 school year is the start of my 24th year as an Educator of the Deaf. I have a wonderful husband of 27 years and 3 great kids. I am a first-time grandparent as of July 2022. This is an exciting time in my life and my career.
In 1997 I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. As my first teaching position, I assisted in developing a collaborative multi-county preschool program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students at Dixie Elementary School, MS. 3 years later I taught elementary school at the Mississippi School for the Deaf. During my time at MSD, I received my master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Jackson State University. I became the Curriculum Coordinator and held this position from December 2005 until July 2009. As the Curriculum Coordinator, I led textbook adoption teams, SACS Accreditation review, implemented the Occupational Diploma track and supervised teachers in this area. I also assisted with developing class schedules and student discipline at the high school level. In August of 2009, I returned to the classroom as an itinerant Deaf Educator for Sumner County Schools in Tennessee serving students Preschool through 21 in various schools throughout the county.
In April of 2018 the TN Department of Education announced the opening of the TN School for the Deaf Nashville campus and a shift to Bilingual Deaf Education. My love for American Sign Language is what led me to Deaf Education, and I was excited about the possibility of returning to a Deaf School environment. In June 2018, I was hired as the Lead Teacher for TSD Nashville and was named Principal in October 2018. I believe all Deaf and Hard of Hearing children should be equipped from birth with language. Providing American Sign Language and parental support to all Deaf and Hard of Hearing children opens unlimited possibilities for them to flourish into amazing adults. Through ASL and English, Bilingual Education, high expectations, a safe and nurturing environment, deaf and hard of hearing students will flourish and achieve their life goals.
