Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelly Dibble Kerner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kelly, thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?
Being able to communicate effectively is a skill I find highly important and something I practice daily. Strong communication skills are evident in leaders, changemakers, and those who place high priority in connecting with others. It is fundamental in all aspects of our lives! In my opinion, those that understand the importance of strong communication skills are often the ones that communicate in the most effective manner.
Strong communication skills help us share ideas and perspectives, learn from other people, and build relationships. They play a large role in how we present ourselves to others. Through my years as an educator, strong communicating was imperative in creating lasting connections with my students, thus allowing them to grow more in their educational journey. I have learned that showing respect is integral in communication by allowing everyone to feel understood and heard.
Active listening is necessary to develop communication skills as well. A strong communicator can listen, internalize, and respond to keep a conversation flowing, then quickly add in relative information to be an active contributor. It’s equally important to be able to listen to others as it is to express yourself, and both are necessary in being a great communicator.
We should take advantage of opportunities in everyday life to develop our communication skills. Challenge yourself to have more conversations. Talk to friends, family. teachers, coworkers, neighbors, etc. about whatever it may be – animals, sports, the weather, recent travel, home renovations… the possibilities are endless! Remember to offer interesting information, ask questions, listen to what’s said, and play off of others’ contributions to really show off your skills. Through practice you’ll gain confidence in your own conversation and listening skills, plus enhance your ability to connect with others. As a teacher, I practice this daily and truly find it makes a difference in connecting with others.
Want to take your communication skills to the next level? Try teaching someone a new concept! Take on the role of teacher and educate your student on something you know but they don’t. Are they able to learn from you? By creating scenarios that require different types of communication, you’ll develop your skills even more!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Kelly Dibble Kerner and I am the owner and founder of Dibbs On It Creative Learning, a small business offering innovative educational opportunities uniquely-designed to spark creativity and curiosity. My mission is to provide fun and engaging experiences that plant a seed for lifelong learning at any age. My programs cover a variety of topics including STEAM science, foreign language, mindfulness, creative reading and writing, and nature education. One-of-a-kind art projects are beautifully intertwined into every lesson to allow students creative expression while internalizing class content.
As a former public school teacher, something I take pride in is the educational content I develop into community offerings. Designed with all learners in mind, my workshops are curated with a variety of activity types including visuals, games, movement, discussion, collaboration, and art. They’re all-around learning experiences! Since starting, I have been able to connect with students in different settings like schools, homeschool co-ops, public libraries, parks and recreation departments, and day camps, which has allowed me to share my content on a larger scale.
I’ve always loved learning, whether it be an academic concept, practical skill, or fun new game. How fulfilling it is to move towards the answer to a question or grow through experiencing something for the first time. I want to pass on this curiosity to my students, along with the ability to gain confidence in their own educational journey. Stay tuned for what’s to come!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
If I were to pinpoint three qualities that were impactful on my journey, they would be courage, perseverance, and creativity.
In 2022, I made the decision to leave my job and dive into entrepreneurship full-time. It was such a big risk, sometimes I look back and still can’t believe I actually did it! But, I had grown restless devoting my efforts elsewhere when what I really wanted to do was focus on growing my budding business, Dibbs On It Creative Learning. If I didn’t have the courage to do that, I wouldn’t be building my dream business today.
I can’t say it’s been an easy journey – wearing the many hats of owning a business, and being new to it, creates challenges! I have been confronted with many obstacles, from finances to low registration numbers, but I think the most important thing is to focus on the positives. I am very impressed by the growth I’ve made over the last few years, and although I may not be exactly where I want to be yet, I will continue working my hardest to try to make it happen. This attitude of perseverance has never led me down the wrong path, and I am gaining more and more confidence in finding success along the way.
And lastly, creativity! After founding Dibbs On It Creative Learning, my primary role became developing unique learning opportunities for families, schools, and communities. Without this spark of creativity, this little idea of mine would never have come to fruition.
If you’re early in the journey, trust your gut, take the leap, and never look back! You will encounter success, obstacles, failure, and joy, but you’ll also encounter a level of fulfillment that is unmatched.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I would love to collaborate with the community through Dibbs On It Creative Learning! The beautiful thing about my offerings is that they are truly multi-faceted and can be valuable learning experiences in a variety of settings.
My mission is to provide fun and engaging educational experiences that plant a seed for lifelong learning at any age. My programs and resources cover a variety of topics including STEAM science, foreign language and culture, social emotional learning, creative reading and writing, and nature education. One-of-a-kind art projects are intertwined into every lesson to allow students creative expression while internalizing class content.
I have taught my programs through community establishments, private studios, homeschool co-ops, schools, parks & recreation departments, public libraries, nature centers, and more. I also work with families in providing small-group learning experiences and one-of-a-kind private parties. This year I am trying to expand my clientele, so please reach out if you think my offerings align with your educational goals. I am always looking for new connections!
Email today: dibbsonit@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dibbs.on.it
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dibbs.On.It/
Image Credits
Photos belong to Kelly Dibble Kerner
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
