About the Founder

Dr. Kimberly Cassidy is an Assistant Professor and Department Head of Early Childhood Programs at Walters State Community College. With more than 29 years of experience in early childhood education, family intervention, and parenting education, she has dedicated her career to supporting children, families, and educators through research-based, practical strategies that improve outcomes for young children.

Dr. Cassidy is a family intervention specialist, early childhood intervention specialist, parenting education specialist, author, and speaker. She is the developer of the SEED Parenting Framework (Start Early, Educate Deeply), which focuses on family stability, communication, emotional regulation, and child development as the foundation for improving child outcomes.

Dr. Cassidy’s work focuses on the connection between family stability, child development, and long-term outcomes for children. She has extensive experience working with families, educators, and community organizations and has developed programs designed to support parent engagement, early childhood development, and family systems.

Her work integrates research in child development, family systems, and educational practice with real-world application, providing parents and professionals with strategies that can be implemented immediately. She has presented on topics related to early childhood advocacy, behavior, family engagement, and parenting education and continues to develop programs that support children and families across educational and community settings.

The SEED Parenting Program was developed to address the need for parenting education that goes beyond discipline strategies and focuses on family stability, routines, communication, and emotional regulation. The program is designed to support parents in creating structured, supportive environments that help children succeed emotionally, behaviorally, and academically.

Dr. Cassidy’s work is grounded in the belief that when families are supported, children succeed. Through the SEED Parenting Program, she continues to develop resources and programs that help families build stability, improve communication, and create environments where children can grow and thrive.

Academic Credentials

• Education

  • Women in Higher Education Leadership Symposium Spring 2026
    Harvard Graduate School of Education (Professional Credential)
    Cambridge, MA

  • PhD Early Childhood East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

  • Leadership Practicum Fall 2012 Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN

  • Education Specialist (EdS) Educational Administration and Supervision May, 2009 Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN

  • Masters Special Education with Emphasis in Early Childhood and licensure in Pre-K-3, May, 2008 East Tennessee State University
    Johnson City, TN

  • Bachelor of Science Business Management with Concentration in Marketing December, 1993 Carson-Newman College
    Jefferson City, TN  

• Publications

  • Books

    • Redesigning Teacher Education Through Partnerships, Reflection, and Practice. Release Date: May, 2026 | Copyright: © 2026

  • Chapters

    • Improving Literacy Instruction Through University and P12 Partnerships: Using the SPICE Early Literacy Grant to Foster Literacy Instruction. July 2022. DOI:10.4018/978-1-6684-3443-7.ch004. IGI Global

    • Co-Teaching in Higher Education for Multi-Perspective Learning. July 2022. DOI:10.4018/978-1-6684-3443-7.ch008. In book: Collaborative Models and Frameworks for Inclusive Educator Preparation Programs (pp.128-149)

    • Social/Emotional Trauma and Trauma-Informed Strategies for Exceptional Students: A Case Study for Discussion. January 2022. DOI:10.4018/978-1-7998-7359-4.ch009.  In book: Advising Preservice Teachers Through Narratives From Students With Disabilities (pp.155-166)

  • Peer-Reviewed Articles

    • Cassidy, K.D. (2020). Utilizing Cross-Curricular Research to Benefit Rehabilitation in Multiple Fields. World Journal of Yoga, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation (WJYPR). WJYPR-20-MRW-530. Kimberly Dianne Cassidy

    • Cassidy,K.D. Brooks, L., Nelson, M., & Lee, D. (2018). Integrating Yoga in the Classroom for Cognitive Stimulation for Self-Regulation and Attributional Retraining. Functional Neurology, Rehabilitation and Ergonomics. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2019.

    • Cassidy, K. D. (2015, December) Determining if Grandparents as Custodial Grandparents of Pre-K-Third Grade Students Perceive Delivery of Information and Services Offered as Effective in Decreasing Early Chronic Absence.” Dissertation.

    • Cassidy, K. D. (2012, July) Literature Review for Learn Every Day: The Preschool Curriculum. Kaplan Company.

• Awards

  • Good as Gold Faculty & Staff Award Alpha Beta Iota Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa-11/2025 Student-Nominated Award

  • Early Career Teaching Award 05/2020

    Extraordinary dedication to teaching demonstrated by excellence in the following areas:

    ·         impact on and involvement with students

    ·         scholarly approach to teaching and learning

  • Bear Hug Award 05/2019 Student-Nominated Award

  • Nominated for Outstanding New Faculty 2018

  • Awarded four faculty funding awards for research and presentations 2018

  • 2018 Shawnee State Women Who Rock Nomination

  • 2020 Shawnee State Women Who Rock Nomination

• Assistant Professor, Walters State Community College

• Department Head, Early Childhood Programs

• 27+ years in early childhood education

• Family Intervention Specialist

• Early Childhood Intervention Specialist

• Parenting Education Specialist

• Author and Speaker

• Developer of the SEED Parenting Framework