ENGLISH 9
Ms. Kelly's
Jedi Academy
A first generation college graduate from an economically disadvantaged background as well as a Teach for America Alumnus (2011) credentialed in Secondary English and Social Studies, Ms. Kelly holds a Masters in Urban Education focusing on Digital Learning.
Ms. Kelly is a proud community college transfer from Victor Valley College where she served as the Associated Student Body President and Student Trustee on the School Board. She was fortunate to attend UCLA (2010), where she was chosen to study at the Arabic Language Institute at the American University in Cairo, Egypt 2009). Kelly received her B.A. in Political Science concentrating in International Relations/Middle East Politics and Developmental Psychology. After which, she was selected to serve in Teach for America and simultaneously completed her M.Ed. Kelly's Master Thesis conducted a three year longitudinal study through Loyola Marymount University studying the use of Thematic Digital Integration for Increased Investment and Achievement in the urban classroom.
About Jedi Ms. Kelly
Kelly has more than 10 years of experience working with students in different capacities: After school, Early Education, Elementary Special Ed, Middle School History, as well as High School History and English. Kelly began her career in education as the Teen Director for The Boys and Girls' Club of Adelanto. She was then mentored as a student teacher in early care and education at the Krieger Center and interned at the Fernald Center's Infant Development Program at UCLA. As a Teach for America Teacher, Kelly spent three years teaching history at KIPP Academy of Opportunity and serving as the Digital Integration Specialist. She then taught Human Geography for Alliance Simon Tech High School and served on the Alliance College-Ready Schools District School Board. Following 6 years as a full-time secondary teacher, Kelly took a year sabbatical and worked as a K-12 sub for the El Segundo School District, in order to examine and understand trends and scaffolding over academic years. Ultimately she was asked to work full-time as the 4th-5th grade Special Ed Teacher for Richmond Elementary. Currently, Kelly teaches 9th grade English at Animo Leadership Charter High School in South LA and serves on the Culture Committee.
Kelly's classroom has been featured through Comic Con International, Rotary International, Teach For America, TeachPlus, the national Knowledge is Power Charter School System, and gained a following on the Web... so students, be ready to be showcased on the internet! Kelly continues to teach, consult, and provide talks and workshops on Reality Pedagogy, nerd culture in the classroom, and digital learning integration as well as reading and writing for social justice, at the regional and national level.