Kim Richardson
Dr. Kim is a dynamic leadership strategist and ICF Professional Certified Coach® with a wealth of experience designing transformational learning and development programs. As the Chief Learning Officer of Keep Rising, she partners with organizations to elevate leadership capability, engagement, and culture through innovative learning design and people-centered strategy.
Known for her infectious energy and dynamic facilitation, Dr. Kim helps leaders be their best selves as they translate insight into action. Her expertise spans leadership development, coaching, organizational culture, and learning strategy. A sought-after keynote speaker and consultant, she has worked with national organizations and conferences including ASCD, Learning Forward, and the Instructional Coaching Group. She currently serves as President-Elect of Learning Forward Virginia, where she continues to champion professional learning as the engine of lasting leadership growth.
Now transitioning to retirement Dr. Kim brings 30 years of experience in education—as a teacher, coach, principal, and central office administrator—to leaders and organizations ready to grow. As an ICF-certified coach and PhD in Leadership, her passion is helping individuals and teams rise with purpose and authenticity. Her podcast Rise Up and Lead explores real lessons and stories from leaders who choose to grow from the inside out.
When she's not helping others rise, Dr. Kim is joyfully singing in her church, dancing as a licensed Zumba® instructor, and spending time with her husband, three sons, and granddaughter.
All Articles
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Setting coaches up for success
Instructional coaches, specialists, mentors, and teacher leaders are increasingly positioned as key drivers of instructional improvement across schools and districts. These educators support adult learning, facilitate professional growth, and help schools implement instructional initiatives designed to improve teaching and learning. Yet while districts continue to invest in coaching models, far […] -
Teacher leadership: An investment worth making
Throughout the past year’s series of “Teachers Are Leaders” articles, I’ve described the roles of teacher leaders and the benefits they provide, including enhancing instructional quality, student learning, and teacher retention (Katzenmeyer & Moller, 2009; York-Barr & Duke, 2004). As I wrap up this series, I encourage districts and education […] -
Teacher leadership thrives on support and structure
Teacher leadership is a powerful process for improving teaching and increasing student achievement (Katzenmeyer & Moller, 2009; York-Barr & Duke, 2004), but the conditions that allow teachers to lead meaningfully often vary across schools and districts. When teachers are trusted, resourced, and provided opportunities for collaboration they can step into […] -
What do teacher leaders do?
In previous articles in the “Teachers Are Leaders” series, I’ve explored how teacher leadership isn’t just a title, but rather an identity and mindset that enables educators to make a significant impact regardless of their formal position. Teacher leaders help manage the complex demands of enhancing student achievement and influence […] -
How great teachers become great teacher leaders
Watching master teachers at work is a joy. Their classrooms operate like well-oiled machines: They utilize excellent instructional strategies, differentiate according to students’ needs, and create engaging learning environments. Teachers like this bring a lot of inspiration to others, and it can seem intuitive to select them for leadership positions […] -
You don’t need a formal title to be a teacher leader
Teacher leadership is “the process by which teachers, individually or collectively, influence their colleagues, principals, and other members of school communities to improve teaching and learning practices with the aim of increased student learning and achievement” (York-Barr & Duke, 2004, pp. 287-288). But there are many different ways that process […] -
Why we need teacher leaders
When I was a brand new principal, I thought I knew everything. A case in point: Drawing on my experience at another school, I planned to hold a schoolwide assembly every Monday morning to get the community excited for learning, hear our character focus for the month, celebrate the classrooms […]
