Author: Kim Cullen

Even as a child, I would study the unexpected turns in my life and try to find the lessons in them. I am nothing if not reflective. As an American citizen raised in Sao Paulo, Dallas and Madrid, I am a classic adult TCK*. Perspective is key, and I look at everything through multiple lenses. It used to make my son crazy when as a boy he would press me for a firm stance on something and I would often answer “well, that depends…” I am a thinker and learner, writer and story teller, counselor and coach. After almost of quarter of a century in k12 education, I am now on sabbatical, taking some time to breathe, reflect, dream, explore life’s many gifts, and write. When I was around 8 years old, I starting writing down my dreams and these turned into stories. I have been blogging since 2010, have published several articles about the need for change in how and what young people learn, and I am currently working on a couple of manuscripts. One is a collection of motivational essays for women leaders in international education which I am co-authoring with my friend and colleague, Debbie Lane. The other is more of a memoir, a personal story about love, sacrifice, and hope. Hope and gratitude are common themes in my writing, my work, and in my life in general. Everyone has a story to tell. Thank you for taking some time to explore mine. I hope you’ll come back. *A TCK is a third-culture kid, someone who has spent a significant number of their formative years outside of their passport country. It is an experience that typically has a profound impact on the development of self and identity.

The Joy of Home

July 28, 2019.Reading time 6 minutes.

Maria met us at the back gate. She wore a sheer purple tunic over her bathing suit and in her hand was a glass with what looked like coca cola in it. The midafternoon heat was sweltering, and a cold soft drink sounded amazing, but she didn’t offer and I didn’t ask. We shook hands, […]

the only way out is through

June 25, 2019.Reading time 10 minutes.

It was early May, and I was in the car on the way home from work. When you work in a school, May is perhaps one of the busiest times of year, and it is also a time of celebration. May means final exams, yes. But it also means prom, awards ceremonies, and graduation. As […]

There is no forgiveness, only acceptance.

November 14, 2013.Reading time 12 minutes.

We were in the car, on the way to Marco’s weekly golf lesson, and Marco was telling me about an incident that had happened at school. It seems he and another boy had a dispute with two girls during recess. The other boy and one of the girls got angry enough that the dispute got […]

Commencement speech given for a special young man in June 2013

October 9, 2013.Reading time 20 minutes.

Note: This is a graduation speech that I was asked to give in June 2013 for a one-man graduating class. I have realized that it’s actually harder to write for other people than it is to write for myself, but it’s infinitely more gratifying. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, parents, students, Louise, Dani, and guests. […]

Inspiration from others, 2

July 24, 2012.Reading time 2 minutes.

From The hand that first held mine, by Maggie O’Farrell The women we become after children. We change shape, we buy low-heeled shoes, we cut off our long hair. We begin to carry in our bags half-eaten rusks, a small tractor, a shred of beloved fabric, a plastic doll. We lose muscle tone, sleep, reason, […]

Inspiration from others, 1

March 13, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves – regret for the past and fear of the future. – Fulton Oursler The only way out is through. – Various If you only do what you can do, you will never be more than you are now. – Master Shifu (Kung Fu Panda) Well done is […]

Ode to Nacho

February 22, 2012.Reading time 12 minutes.

As parents, we go through stages with our children that depend both on where they are in their development, and on where we stand with our own levels of patience, emotion, and energy. How much we love our children is the unshakeable foundation that brings us back, even after we’ve already threatened to disown the […]

Leaping

February 17, 2012.Reading time 12 minutes.

“Perdóneme señorita, pero le puedo hacer una pregunta?” Excuse me miss, but may I ask you a question? I was in line at a little bakery just around the corner from the church, waiting to pay for my coffee and croissant. It’s a tiny place, but it is the only one in the neighborhood that […]

the phone call

January 25, 2012.Reading time 15 minutes.

I am not sure when it was exactly that my dad decided his time on earth was up, but long before his body grew tired, and even longer before his mind hinted at exhaustion, he made the decision that he had done enough. Maybe it was when he turned 55. His own father had died […]

Building reserves

January 13, 2012.Reading time 8 minutes.

If you’ve read “lessons from Emma” you already know that Emma is a special young lady with tremendous character. For the last couple of years, I have watched as Emma, now in fourth grade, begins to shed the layers of little girl, making room for the young woman that is taking root inside. There are […]