Bio

I'm Kim Payten, and I’m honored to serve as the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Burnet High School. My journey in education and coaching has been deeply rooted in my love for sports and my commitment to helping young athletes grow both on and off the field. This begins my 30th year in education. 

I was born and raised in Llano, Texas, where I attended Llano High School. During my time there, I earned varsity letters in cross country, basketball, tennis, and track, and I also served as a cheerleader. After high school, I began my college education at Angelo State University and later completed my degree at Sam Houston State University.

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of teaching special education at every school where I've coached. This experience has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to work closely with students who have unique needs and helping them achieve their full potential, both academically and athletically.

My coaching career began in Bryan, Texas, where I coached middle school basketball and track while teaching in the adaptive behavior unit. I spent approximately five years there before moving to Brenham, Texas. In Brenham, I had the opportunity to coach a variety of sports, including volleyball, basketball, softball, cross country, and track, reflecting the close-knit, small-town environment. I called Brenham home from 1999 until 2007.

In 2007, I transitioned to Round Rock Westwood High School. One of the motivating factors for this move was to be closer to my oldest son, who had graduated from Brenham and was attending the University of Texas to play football. Being nearby allowed me to support him by attending his games while staying close to family. Since joining Westwood, I have served as the Head Coach for Girls Cross Country and Track, as well as the varsity assistant for the basketball team.

In 2022, my father’s health began to decline, and my husband and I made the decision to move back home to help manage the responsibilities of the family ranch. After his passing in June 2024, we relocated from Valley Spring to Burnet. Since 2022, I’ve been commuting to Round Rock for work, all while exploring the right opportunity to make a meaningful change. I was fortunate to work at a great school with wonderful students, and I had committed to only making a move if it felt like a clear blessing and the right fit. When I received the call from Burnet, I knew it was a door God had opened—and I didn’t hesitate to embrace the opportunity.

I’m married to Donovan Payten and proud to be the mother of three sons: Brandon, Daylon, and Kaleb. I’m also a proud grandmother to two wonderful grandchildren, Baige and Brandon Jr., and blessed to have a daughter-in-law, Blyss. I was raised by two amazing parents, Tommy and Gloria Duncan. I have a brother, Travis Duncan of Hutto, and his wife Lori and daughter Hannah. My family is truly the heart of my world and brings joy to every aspect of my life.

As I step into this new role, I am excited to build upon the strong foundation of Burnet High School's athletic and academic program. I look forward to working with our athletes, staff, and community to continue fostering a culture of excellence, teamwork, and personal growth.