JUST THINKING… About Bringing out the Best in Educators and Learners with Ross Kimball
This episode of Just Thinking explores how educators can strengthen classroom culture by applying improv principles—like saying "yes, and," staying present, and building psychological safety. Ross Kimball, a former teacher and Emmy-nominated performer, discusses how trust, authenticity, and communication skills can help both educators and learners thrive in post-pandemic classrooms.
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Key takeaways
As the educational landscape rapidly evolves—shaped by advances in communication technology, growing mental health awareness, and post-pandemic classroom dynamics—one key question persists: How can we better connect with and empower both educators and students in the classroom?
The stakes are high: studies show that teacher-student relationships directly impact student motivation, academic success, and long-term…
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As the educational landscape rapidly evolves—shaped by advances in communication technology, growing mental health awareness, and post-pandemic classroom dynamics—one key question persists: How can we better connect with and empower both educators and students in the classroom? The stakes are high: studies show that teacher-student relationships directly impact student motivation, academic success, and long-term well-being.
In a time when educators face burnout and learners crave authenticity, how can we develop classroom cultures rooted in connection, adaptability, and trust?
This episode of Just Thinking, hosted by Kevin Dougherty, Chief Marketing Officer of NeuraPoints, Inc., features a rich, heartfelt, and humorous conversation with Ross Kimball, a former educator turned Emmy-nominated performer, speaker, and communication coach. Their discussion explores the crossover between improv and education, and how educators can build more meaningful relationships with their students by embracing spontaneity, authenticity, and presence.
Key Highlights from the Episode:
- Improv as an Educational Superpower: Ross shares how the foundational principles of improv—like saying “yes, and,” supporting your partner, and staying present—translate into powerful tools for classroom management, student engagement, and personal development for teachers.
- The Improv Mindset for Human Connection: Ross emphasizes the importance of responding instead of reacting, building psychological safety in classrooms and workplaces, and helping students feel seen, heard, and supported.
- Personal Transformation Through Communication: Drawing on his own background in both education and entertainment, Ross reveals how trust, clarity, and humor have shaped his journey—and how these same tools can be used by educators and leaders to unlock the potential in others.
Ross Kimball is an Emmy-nominated performer best known for his work on the critically acclaimed series Jury Duty on Amazon. Before stepping into the spotlight, Ross spent years teaching 6th grade and working in special education in both public and private schools in Chicago. With a parallel passion for comedy, he honed his craft in long-form improvisation and eventually auditioned for Saturday Night Live. Today, Ross combines his experience as a teacher, performer, and communication coach to help high-performers and educators improve their presence, clarity, and connection in high-stakes settings. He runs his own coaching business and continues to act, write, and speak across the country.
Article written by MarketScale.
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About the author
Kevin Dougherty is the Chief Marketing Officer of NeuraPoints, Inc. and the host of the Just Thinking... podcast. He has spent the past 40 years as an educator and serving educators. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, Kevin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Multicultural Education. He later earned a Master of Education Degree in Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts/Lowell. Kevin was a classroom teacher for ten years in the Dallas, Boston, and Houston areas. He then served as an assistant principal/principal of Title I/Bilingual campuses in Fort Bend ISD and Irving ISD. For the past 22 years, Kevin has been serving educators throughout Texas and the nation in various roles supporting sales/marketing, professional learning, and overall company strategy. He has been married to his wife, Michelle, for 33 years. They have two grown children who both live in the DFW area.
