Kimberly Corbidge to head Shields Elementary

A familiar face is set to lead Richard A. Shields Elementary School in the fall.

Kimberly Corbidge, Shields assistant principal for the last three years, has been named principal. She succeeds Principal Jennifer Nauman, who takes over as assistant superintendent in the district office. 

“My goal is to keep expectations high,” she said. “Our culture and morale are great, and it should be a smooth transition.”

Now, Corbidge said, “Everyone in the district will benefit from having Mrs. Naumann.”

A 25-year educator, Corbidge has taught at every elementary grade level, including several years at both Shields and H.O. Brittingham Elementary, where she earned teacher of the year honors for 2010-11. While Corbidge taught at Shields, Nauman gradually increased her responsibilities, and she was named assistant principal in 2016. 

“I really enjoy it and love knowing all the kids and seeing them in the community,” she said.

A new project Corbidge developed this year that will continue is the school mentor program, which pairs fifth-grade students with younger students who need extra help or just someone to read to them. Corbidge created the program in response to school climate survey results that showed student-to-student relations could be improved.

“Almost all the fifth graders are involved and want to be mentors,” she said. “Now the hallways are filled in the mornings with mentors and and their students all working on specific things.”

Corbidge received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Kutztown University, and certifications in school leadership/principal and special education from Wilmington University.  

She and her husband Bill live in Lewes. They have two daughters, one an art teacher in Pennsylvania and the other in Alexandria, Va., who is is expecting her first child in September.