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Mrs. Linda Kelly
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Marion Senior High School
Hometown:
Marion, VA
Class Information:
Room Number: 114
Students per Class: 68
Class Description:
This year is very challenging because I am teaching 5 different classes: Introduction to Food Occupations, Nutrition and Wellness, Teachers for Tomorrow, Individual Development, and Study Skills. The foods classes have different goals but are similar in that they have food as a focus. One is more career oriented while the other is directed toward preparing nutritious food and promoting a healthy lifestyle. The goal of Individual Development is to help younger high school students identify personal characteristics and determine future goals. Teachers for Tomorrow is for honor students who are interested in teaching. They study education from a teacher's perspective and complete an internship in an elementary school. The students in Study Skills are working toward completing end-of-course assessments to fulfill requirements for a standard diploma.
Position:
Teacher
Needs:
I would like to have at least one digital camera to record class evenets and for students to use in class projects and to prepare portfolios. The portfolios would show the journey and growth through the year. I would also like to have a digital video camera for students to use to enhance learning and instruction. With either type of camera, students can actually become the instructor by making "commercials" or clips about specific topics or by demonstrating techniques. These types of activities would be energizing for all students but especially for the ones in the Study Skills class. School has not been a positive experience for them. Using either type of camera to enhance their studies would provide hands-on activities to make their studies more interesting and exciting.
Personal Information:
About Me:
I live in a state park with my husband who is a district manager with Virginia state parks. It has been a wonderful place to raise our six children. Our youngest graduated from college in the spring, and for the first time in fifteen years, we do not have children in college. We are pet sitting two dogs and one cat that belong to our youngest daughter. Since we have cared for them for the four years she was away, I think they are actually ours.
College and Degrees:
M.A. 2006; Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Curriculum & Instruction B.S.,1973, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Clothing and Textiles
Activities:
A Special Committee of the Board of Education to Study and Make Recommendations Relative to Teacher Licensure Assessments, 2005 Chair, Virginia Board of Education’s Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure (ABTEL), 2003-08; Member of ABTEL, 2002-2008 Virginia Chair, National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, 2004-07 Mentor and Planner for Teachers of Promise Institute, 2004-07 Assessorfor Commonwealth of Knowledge Educational Website, VA DOE, 1998—2001 National Board Certification, 2001-11 No Child Left Behind Summit, US Dept. of Education, April 28, 2006, Philadelphia, PA National Education Association Boards of Standards Conference, 2005, 2004 Partner States Symposium: National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, 2004-05 Teacher Quality Institute, 2005, 2004 Candidate Subsidy and Project Site Coordinators Meeting, 2004, 2003, 2002 National Conference of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 2003 Teacher Quality Forum, 2003, 2002, 2001 National Board Academy, 2002 Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar to Japan, 1999
Favorite Books:
I read constantly. A favorite professional book is The Art and Science of Teaching by Robert J. Marzano. Recent books that I have read and enjoyed include The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, both by Khaled Hosseini.
Favorite Quotes:
If you want to succeed, you have to work for it. If you think you can or can't, you are right.
Interests:
I enjoy reading, painting watercolors, needle crafts, and walking.
Employment History:
Teacher, Smyth County Schools, 1991-2008 AdjunctInstructor, Wytheville Community College, 2002-05 Consultant,National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 2002-05 Site Coordinator, Targeted High Needs, Appalachian Project, NBPTS 2002-05
Why Do I Teach?:
I chose teaching as a profession, but I have been a teacher all of my life and always will be. If I had chosen another field for a job, I still would be a teacher. Teaching defines who I am. Also, I want to help young people reach new heights and achieve their dreams. I want them to understand that the ability to succeed does not depend upon luck but instead lies within themselves and their willingness to work.