Kathleen Kelly

I first met Kathleen Kelly (Ms. Kelly) as a ninth grader in her physical education class and I now continue as her executive intern. Though online class was a challenge, she was constantly enthusiastic about teaching us to improve our total wellness. She guided us through workouts and even did them with us. She teaches topics about health that I have seen no other teacher do and you can tell through her training that she fully cares about her students and she wants everyone to succeed. Every single day Ms. Kelly checks in with the students and lets them take a five minute mindfulness break. She has supported students financially via food gift cards, or a food drive if their family is struggling, and if a student even slightly mentions they’re hungry she provides them with a snack to fuel them. Ms. Kelly also provides students with a free swimming lesson program to ensure everyone will know how to save themselves, she teaches archery, tumbling, and kayaking. She consistently goes above and beyond for her students and makes all classes one to look forward to as you never know what new thing you will learn, or a new skill you will gain. She and her class will be one that students will hold close to them even after graduation. Ms. Kelly is also a safe teacher and a safe place for students of all backgrounds. She shows inclusivity by learning phrases in 5 languages and more if a student introduces it to her, she also provides people of the Islamic religion a quiet, out of sight prayer space during lunch. Outside of her classes Ms. Kelly is advisor to eight clubs including Student Government Association (SGA), Inter Club Council (ICC), Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), Students Preventing Unintentional Drownings (SPUD), Read Squad, Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE), and Future Educators of America (FEA). I work alongside her as President. Through these clubs Ms. Kelly knows all students and all students know her and the wonderful things she does for our campus. She also always makes sure to give back to her community. One of the biggest events she puts on is Autumn Fest which is a dance. Through Autumn Fest all proceeds go to the Anthony Rizzo kids with cancer foundation. She aims to donate $2,000 a year which means that throughout the years of her doing the clubs she was able to donate around $16,000. Also, during Autumn Fest, she collects canned goods which get donated to homeless shelters or food pantries. Some other events Ms. Kelly has: Spirit Week, Midyear Field Trip, and Lip Sync Battles (only to name a few). There is always some kind of event that she runs that brings life into our campus and students making school overall a fun, safe environment to be in. These events and advocacy trends bring the school together as a family and anyone that steps foot on to our campus can feel it. She empowers our youth. Ms. Kelly shows that she cares about me through her actions and words. If I ever talk down on myself she will correct that statement into a positive one and if I feel down she gives me a space to vent and come up with solutions. She improved my confidence as a student and school leader through my four years at the school by letting me take the reins, communicate, and she has raised my courage to let me step out of my shell. Outside of the classroom she consistently checks in with me and my workload, home life, and mental health. If any task gets too much she takes the load and helps me no matter what she has on her own plate. For instance, coming out of middle school I was in a dark place mentally. With her help I knew I could come out of it and I will forever be grateful for having her in my life. Unlimited words will never be able to describe how Ms. Kelly has not only made me a better person and student, but how she improves the lives of everyone around her. Sincerely, Alexa Horodecki

Alexa Horodecki