Kimberly Boswell

Kimberly Boswell earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1996 and a master's degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2006. She went on to earn both a master's degree and a Ph.D in public policy from Walden University.[1] Boswell's career experience includes working across the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Texas public schools and serving as an elementary school principal.[2]

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Administering high stakes assessments can measure student performance and evaluate instruction. However, the academic success of a student is contingent upon many factors including the implementation a comprehensive program based on academics, social emotional learning and support, parental involvement. adequate provision of resources, community support and well trained educators. When we focus heavily on mastery of specific learning standards as the determining factor of teacher competency, we impose on creativity and limit authentic classroom experiences. When we use assessments to determine a student's learning capacity or likelihood of future successes, we impose on students' perceptions of their own ability to achieve.Teacher and leader burnout has continued to increase in recent months. Educators are faced with multifaceted challenges requiring a more in-depth topic specific training amid our changing world. Teachers and leaders must be sufficiently prepared and adequately supported in order to be successful in their roles. Teacher and leader preparation programs must equip prospective educators and leaders with the tools necessary to operate in often high stakes environments. Programs that focus on traditional competencies and integrate topics such as mitigating challenging environments and integration of self-care and wellness can help decrease burnout and once again increase the pool of qualified candidates seeking to enter this notable profession.Funding for public schools is essential to ensure that all students are afforded the same opportunity, to receive a high quality education. When we decrease funding in the public school setting, the impact is notable. Some students travel to different parts of the city to attend specific schools, some students walk a few blocks, ride the bus or get dropped off by a parent at their neighborhood school. When we take from schools we are taking from students whose only option may be the school right across the street from their home. In some cases, these schools lack resources, support and sufficient staffing due to disparities in funding. We must ensure that school funding decisions are intentionally rooted in equity leaving no child behind.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My passion lies with ensuring that state education policies include implementation measures to support the following:

-High quality preparation programs for teachers and school leaders

-Adequate resources and support to lower performing schools

-Curriculum resources that are engaging and create rich learning experiences in every classroom

Campaign websiteBoswell's campaign website stated the following:IssuesAccountability and Testing Accountability and Assessment in Texas Public EducationEffective accountability systems in Texas must recognize that student achievement is the result of multiple, interconnected factors. High-quality academic instruction must be supported by social and emotional learning, family and community engagement, adequate and equitable resources, and well-prepared, supported educators.While statewide assessments play a role in measuring academic progress, they should not serve as the sole or primary determinant of educator effectiveness or student potential. An overreliance on mastery of discrete standards and standardized test outcomes narrows instruction, limits educator professional judgment, and constrains innovative and culturally responsive teaching practices that engage students in authentic learning.Similarly, assessment data should be used diagnostically to inform instruction and support student growth—not to label students or predict future success. When assessments are used to define students’ learning capacity, they risk undermining student confidence, motivation, and long-term academic engagement.Texas policies should support accountability frameworks that balance academic standards with whole-child development, emphasize continuous improvement, and promote instructional practices that prepare Texas students for postsecondary success, civic engagement, and workforce readiness.Educator BurnoutIncreasing occurrences of teacher and school leader burnout continue to negatively impact academic programming and overall school functioning, driven by overwhelm and unrealistic expectations embedded within state accountability measures.School FundingFunding for Texas public schools should not be reduced to support initiatives that undermine student success, particularly in lower-performing schools that require additional resources and support.Preparation and SupportOngoing fluctuations in teacher retention reflect persistent challenges, including gaps in educator preparation, limited instructional and leadership support, and insufficient resources to meet the increasing demands of today’s educational environment.— Kimberly Boswell's campaign website (January 16, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.