Kimberly Robinson

Kimberly "Kim'' Robinson is a lifelong employee and a genuine product of Asheville City Schools. She is a 1988 graduate of Asheville High School and has served Asheville City Schools since 1993 starting as a classroom Instructional Assistant at Hall Fletcher Elementary School and a few years later as a Computer Lab Manager. Thanks to the support of Asheville City Schools, Kim obtained a dual Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Social Work from Shaw University in Raleigh, NC in 2001. She later assumed the role of school social worker where she served Hall Fletcher Elementary, Ira B. Jones, Vance Elementary (currently known as Lucy S. Herring), Isaac Dickson and Asheville Middle School. In 2010, Kim obtained a Master's of Social Work from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC which also led her to secure a NC Advanced Level License. This journey provides continuity, the longevity of the historical injustices and the changes implemented, and still growing. As a Black native and an employee that has served in many capacities all centering students, Kim understands what is necessary to grow all students..

Kim's hard work was noticed as she assumed a District role as the School Social Worker and Restorative Practices Coordinator. Kim first began researching Restorative Practices (RP) in 2014 and has learned the importance of utilizing RP skills and strategies at work and everyday living. Kim has obtained Trainer Certifications in RP, bullying prevention, suicide assessment's, the Community Resiliency Model (some work with Resources for Resilience), and CPI prevention/de-escalation techniques.

Kim maintains a student-centered and strength's based perspective (with a focus on equity for all and centering Black students) in her work with Asheville City Schools and strongly values relationships with students, families, staff, and the community (the Whole Child). This coincides with the District’s Vision of raising/lifting up and engaging every student to learn, discover and thrive.

Throughout the years, Kim has collaborated with numerous community members, stakeholders, and organizations to ensure all students have the necessary resources to support each student's focus on education. Kim has worked intentionally on providing an equity lens on every aspect of her work and ensuring racial equity is at the forefront. She has worked on various school and community committees throughout the years, all of which supports students and families. She has collaborated with several state level organizations such as; NC School Social Worker Association and National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. She has also worked as a Summer School Program Social Worker/Director and for several community partners, including the Delta House Life Development Program of Asheville, the YMI Cultural Center, UNC Asheville, and Mars Hill University. Currently, she is a member of the Buncombe County Commissioners Strategic Partnership Grants Committee, NC State School Social Worker Leadership Team, and new to the School Justice Partnership.

Kim is eager to begin writing the next chapter of her life where she hopes to add more productive relationships with our Asheville City Schools students, staff, families, communities and surrounding areas.