Kimberly Thomas
Kimberly Thomas teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in art education and supervises teacher candidates as they develop their identities as reflective, research-informed visual arts educators.
Thomas is completing a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning at Clemson University. She earned a Master of Arts in Art Education from the University of Florida and a BFA in Studio Art from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
Her scholarship examines teacher learning, informal professional development, systems thinking, and the ways online communities support the professional growth of art educators. She is particularly interested in reflective practice, arts-based inquiry, and preparing teachers to foster meaningful, creative learning experiences.
Prior to joining UNC Charlotte, Thomas spent twelve years teaching K–12 visual art in public schools and hosting professional development workshops for educators.
Beyond the University, Thomas is the founder of Magpie Arts, a community pottery studio in Clemson, South Carolina, where she supports K-12 educators and emerging ceramic artists. Her scholarship, teaching, and studio practice are united by a commitment to making art as a way of thinking, learning, and building community.