Sometimes the Best Lessons Don’t Go According to Plan
Kimberly Baumbach had everything ready.
A bottle with vinegar. A balloon filled with baking soda. A classroom of students eager to see a simple science experiment demonstrate how carbon dioxide can inflate a balloon.
She carefully stretched the balloon over the bottle and waited for the reaction.
Instead of slowly filling with air, the balloon suddenly ripped wide open.
In an instant, baking soda and vinegar sprayed across the classroom.
For one silent moment, everyone simply stared.
Then the room erupted in laughter.
“It was definitely not the science experiment I had planned,” Kimberly recalled. “But it became one of those moments none of us ever forgot.”
After cleaning up the mess, the class tried the experiment again. This time, everything worked exactly as the textbook promised. Ironically, it was the successful demonstration that students barely remembered. The unexpected one became the lesson they talked about long afterward.
For Kimberly, that’s one of the beautiful realities of education. Some of the most meaningful learning happens in the moments you could never have planned.
Now, as Teaching Principal at Paradise Adventist Elementary, Kimberly brings that same perspective into every school day.
With 26 years in education, she still lights up when students discover something new for themselves. She believes learning should spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and help children see the gifts God has placed within them. “One of my favorite parts of teaching is watching students experience the joy of learning,” she said. “Just as important is helping them discover ways to serve others, show kindness, and reflect Jesus in their everyday lives.”
That philosophy extends well beyond academics. At Paradise Adventist Elementary, Kimberly hopes every student experiences a school where faith, kindness, respect, curiosity, and a love of learning grow together. She believes each child has been uniquely created by God with purpose and incredible potential, and every day offers a new opportunity to help students discover both.
Outside the classroom, Kimberly enjoys hiking, backpacking, reading, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Chris, recently celebrated 26 years of marriage. Their two sons continue to make them proud—Jackson is entering his senior year of high school, while Nicolaus is beginning his senior year of college.
As a new school year begins, Kimberly is looking forward to partnering with students, families, faculty, and staff as they build a Christ-centered community where learning is joyful, relationships are meaningful, and every child is encouraged to grow academically, spiritually, and personally.
And if another science experiment decides to erupt unexpectedly? She’ll probably laugh right along with the students. After all, some of the best lessons have a way of surprising everyone.
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