Kimberly Billings

Language Educator

Eastern Suffolk BOCES

Currently teaching Spanish to grades 7 and 8 at Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Kim has also had the privilege of serving as Lead Teacher for their World Language Department for several years. Kim has spent 16 years teaching at the high school level and 16 years at the middle school level, with students ranging from accelerated/gifted to special education. Throughout her 32 years teaching Spanish and French she has enjoyed motivating students of all abilities through cultural projects based on operas, music, art, history, and gastronomy of Spanish-speaking and francophone countries. 

Kim earned a BS from the University of Rhode Island in 1992 with a double major in Secondary Education and Spanish. At the University of Granada in Spain in 1991, she began her extensive study of art and architecture of Spain, specifically from the gothic period through modern, mid-20th century art. Kim furthered her love of languages by attaining teacher certification in French by studying French language and literature at the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College. During the completion of her Masters from SUNY Stony Brook she furthered her education of Spanish art and world music history as well. This intense study and love of the arts helps Kim bring more authentic experiences to enhance language and culture lessons to her students. 

Kim was raised in Bayport, spent 10 years in Rhode Island, and currently enjoys being a 22-year resident of Patchogue. The daughter of a musician, Kim is an avid lover of all music genres. She studied the violin extensively in her younger years and has since enjoyed singing (from jazz standards to classic rock, and most frequently in church choir). She speaks Spanish and Portuguese and loves learning of her family’s history, genealogy, and culture from Spain and Portugal. She lives with her two daughters, both music aficionados and talented artists, one an early education teacher, and the other an aspiring professional dancer. Kim and her girls love their 3 rescue dogs and enjoy spending as much time as possible at the beach.