Adam Kelley was recently selected Teacher of the Year at King Elementary School in Cypress, then elected Teacher of the Year from the Cypress School District and is now in the running for Orange County Teacher of the Year.
Adam spent five years serving in the U.S. Air Force. It was there he discovered his leadership qualities and joy in helping others which would lead him to pursue his true passion in becoming a teacher. Adam went on to earn his masters degree from Cal State University Long Beach and is now in his ninth year of teaching.
As Albert Einstein once said, “Teaching should be such that what is offered is perceived as a valuable gift and not as a hard duty.” Adam spends countless hours a week working through his breaks, lunches and after school. After making sure to get plenty of playtime with our son Griffin, he continues working into the late hours of the night and hours of weekend time, because his dedication to his students is beyond compare.
He provides fun and challenging assignments such as earthquake building projects and project based learning assignments incorporating statistics & real life situations they can take with them well beyond their school years.
On his own time, Adam meets with student council to plan such things as raising thousands of dollars for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, collecting blankets for the homeless & bringing flowers to the senior center for Valentine’s Day.
He coaches and has taken a team of students to Orange County Math Field Day & Academic Pentathalon each year, and for five years, has kept the arts alive at his school by spending months preparing his actors for an awesome play performance. He takes time every year as well to tutor his students who hope to get in to Oxford Academy in Cypress.
This year, Adam has introduced his kids to computer science by starting a computer coding club on campus. Adam considers his students family, which I’m sure is why he has former students coming back to visit him and update him on their lives every year. I have saved a book full of heartfelt letters he’s received from students and parents over the years.
Here are some examples of what Adam’s students and parents think of him:
· “My son has changed into a more active and confident student than ever before.”
· “I had a really great year because of you.”
· “You are the teacher that nurtured my love for math. It was the 1st time I really felt challenged. I want to thank you for helping to shape me in to the person I am today.”
Knowing he makes a difference in his students lives gives Adam all the reward in the world.
His son and I would like to congratulate him for this amazing honor. However, award or not, we let him know that we are proud of him every day!