Mrs. Kelley originally had no intention of going into education when she attended the University of Rhode Island. However, her involvement with kids through coaching field hockey inspired Mrs. Kelley to get her teaching certification and begin her career as a Special Education teacher. Since then, she has progressed into various administration positions and worked her way up to being Superintendent.
“I think what pushed me in this direction was the much larger view of schools. You have the ability to have a broader impact in implementing the vision and mission of our schools.”
Mrs. Kelley hopes to make this broader impact as Superintendent by starting small and controlling the narrative. She wants to communicate to the community all the excellent work the schools and educators are accomplishing rather than vice versa. To do this, Mrs. Kelley is working on many innovative ways in which the schools and administration can flood the community with all the good work SAU 67 is doing.
“What we put out there matters,” says Mrs. Kelley. “Let us be the ones to put out there to our community the good work that we’re doing."
Mrs. Kelley is hugely proud of all the hard work the educators of SAU 67 are accomplishing and wants to ensure the community is aware of this and is getting the complete, accurate picture of learning in schools. In addition, Mrs. Kelley hopes to build more school pride by making aesthetic changes to promote school colors and sharing more pictures of kids and activities going on within schools. This includes installing digital signs outside in front of Bow High School and Bow Elementary/Middle School and getting new pole banners painted in coordination with Bow High School school colors.
Looking into the future, Mrs. Kelley hopes to continue finding ways to be creative and innovative within education. She also wants to keep growing and maintaining positive school cultures and climates through programs such as Future Ready Schools.
Outside of school, Mrs. Kelley spends most of her free time with her family. She has three children: one graduated from college, one is a junior in college, and one is a freshman in high school. When she’s not attending to her children’s needs regarding commitments like sports practices, and appointments, Mrs. Kelley loves to travel with her family and experience new adventures together.
As Superintendent, Mrs. Kelley is devoted to education and loves seeing teachers being innovative in the classroom, and students engaged in what they are learning.
“It’s not uncommon to pull in here and see kids outside doing projects,” Mrs. Kelley points out as an example of active learning and teaching. “I really appreciate how committed and dedicated our staff are to our students.”
She also aspires to make learning relevant to students in material and structure. Real life is not sitting at a desk and facing the board while someone lectures; it’s collaborating with others, using available resources, and learning through experience. Therefore, Mrs. Kelley hopes to mirror real life through innovative, interactive teaching methods.
Mrs. Kelley oversees many students as Superintendent; however, she believes a successful student can look different for each individual.
“A successful student I see as someone who is learning in a way that suits them and suits their needs and is relevant for the goals that they have,” says Mrs. Kelley.
She hopes that every student can go through the Bow School system with multiple opportunities to explore their interests and career path, whether that be going into the workforce, going to college, serving our country, or anywhere in between.
As for a successful teacher, Mrs. Kelley believes the most important quality an educator should possess is being proud of their work. Teachers are public servants who educate young minds and deserve to feel supported and appreciated for their work. Mrs. Kelley hopes to provide teachers with support, allowing them the freedom to be creative and take risks in their teaching methods.
More than anything, Mrs. Kelley is ecstatic and eager to embrace her role as the Superintendent of SAU 67 and hopes to impact the community positively.
“I’m really excited to be here. I think we have an outstanding team both within administration and within schools.”
If you see Mrs. Kelley in the halls, be sure to say hi, as she loves interacting with students and staff whenever given the opportunity.