MEET KELLY
Parent. Educator. Community Member.
I have loved education for as long as I can remember.
When I was a child, one of my biggest birthday wishes was a whiteboard and markers. My parents gave me one nearly as tall as I was, and I immediately gathered my friends in my room during my party so I could “teach” them a math lesson. I’m still not entirely sure how I kept friends after that, ;) but I do know this: teaching and learning have always been part of who I am.
That early love of learning eventually grew into a love of science. After high school, I came to Indiana University Bloomington as an astrophysics major. After two years, I realized that while I loved astronomy, it was more my hobby, and my real calling was teaching. When I called my parents, nervous to tell them I wanted to change majors, my dad said, “We were wondering how long it was going to take you to figure it out.”
I have never looked back.
My Experience in the Classroom
After graduating from Indiana University, I began my career in K-12 education. I first taught in Columbus, Indiana, and then had the opportunity to help start a physics program at a small school in Hope, Indiana.
Later, I moved to Center Grove High School, where I taught physics, AP physics, earth science, and astronomy courses. I loved working with students, collaborating with colleagues, and helping students see science as something they could understand, question, and use to make sense of the world.
During that time, I also earned my master’s degree in education with a focus on educational technology. I became increasingly interested in how thoughtful use of technology could support better teaching and learning.
Supporting Educators
Leaving the classroom was one of the hardest decisions I have made. At that point in my life, I was spending many weekends at school working for the students in my classroom, while also wanting to be more present for my children at home.
I still miss classroom teaching. But I have been fortunate to continue serving education in a different way.
For the past 11 years, I have worked at Indiana University supporting faculty in their teaching. My work has focused on educational technology, active learning, learning spaces, faculty development, and the science of learning. Every day I get to help faculty think through how students learn, how classrooms function, and how teaching can be made more effective and sustainable.
That work has deepened my belief that educators need time, resources, trust, and support in order to do their best work for students.
Serving Edgewood Schools
My family has lived in the Edgewood community for almost 10 years. From the beginning, I felt drawn to serve, but I also believed it was important to first listen, learn, and understand the community we had joined.
Over the years, I have volunteered as a parent, served on committees, supported student opportunities, and continued to learn from families, educators, staff, and neighbors. I have seen so much that is strong in this community: people who care about one another, families who show up, educators who give deeply, and students with incredible potential.
Running for school board was not a quick decision. It came after a lot of thought, conversation, and reflection about how I could best serve.
I am running because I believe my experience as a former teacher, higher education professional, parent, and community member can be useful in this role. I understand education from multiple perspectives, but I also know my perspective is only one perspective. If elected, one of my most important responsibilities will be to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and help make sure community voices are heard.
A Commitment to Trust
Strong schools are built on trust.
That means clear communication. It means transparency. It means supporting educators. It means making responsible decisions with students at the center. And it means remembering that school board service is public service.
I would be honored to serve the RBB Edgewood community in this way, and I am committed to doing the work with humility, care, and a deep respect for the students, families, educators, staff, and neighbors who make this community what it is.
