Kelly Kelly, Spanish teacher at Jupiter High, has been teaching at JHS for the past five years, serving as head of the World Language Department since 2022.
Kelly had aspirations of becoming a teacher in her adolescent years, along with wanting to become a leader and inspire students.
“I want to sprinkle my magic wherever I can, and I feel most comfortable and authentic when I’m standing in a classroom,” Kelly said. “I always daydreamed as a young girl about having a class of my own and inspiring people, whether in Spanish or just in general.”
Struggling first to find which major suited her best, Kelly decided to take on Spanish in college.
“Somebody gave me great advice, and they said major in what you love, and then figure out how you can use it for a career,” Kelly said. “I knew I loved Spanish, and I knew I could use that for anything. I started with [spanish], but then I took some psychology classes and really loved that. I decided to do both so I would have an undergraduate degree in Spanish and psychology.”
With a background and undergraduate degree in psychology, Kelly focuses on finding ways to connect to her students within the classroom.
“Ms. Kelly cares so much for her students and tries to have a personal relationship with each of them. She has the ability to connect with kids and understand them,” Sadie Hyde, junior, and former student of Kelly, said.
One way Kelly connects to her students is through her questions of the day she posts for students to respond to, anonymously sharing the responses with the class.
“Whenever I have to answer her check-in questions, or when she reads them, or if some sort of event has happened in the world, she always has a solution and advice for everything,” Reef Edwards, sophomore and second year student of Kelly’s, said. “[Ms. Kelly] really breaks down everything she says and teaches, and she is super observant of the world around her.”
Kelly extended her learning path in Spain, studying abroad whilst learning Spanish and leadership skills by living amongst Spanish speaking peers.
“I went my junior year to Spain, where I lived with a family that didn’t speak English, and that’s when I really became most comfortable speaking Spanish. I definitely expanded in my skills, but also studying abroad just opened my eyes to the importance of leaving the bubbles that are so comfy to us,” Kelly said.
Receiving her Spanish degree with a concentration in psychology from Loyola University, Kelly later received her master’s degree in Secondary Education at Hofstra University.
“I’ve always taught Spanish but I’ve dabbled a little bit in mindfulness, meditation electives or opportunities within my schools when the opportunity presented itself,” Kelly said.
In her later years of teaching, Kelly decided to publish her book, “2 Parts to the Heart,” in 2022, dedicated to life and love.
“My son and I were driving in the minivan when he asked me a really heavy duty question for a little human, and I can’t believe the answer I came up with off the cuff, but that must have been just a mom’s heart ready to do what it needed to do,” Kelly said.
“2 Parts to the Heart” is a story detailing loss from the perspective of adolescent minds.
“Nine years after the conversation we had in my car, I finally sat down and started the manuscript. I was kind of blown away by how quickly it rolled off my pen, and then it just kind of morphed into, I’m going to publish this, and I did. It was really the conversation with my son about the circle of life and the power of love,” Kelly said.
Kelly was born in N.J., later moving to Fla., where she enjoys the outdoors, spending time with family, the beach and inspiring young minds.
“Truly, I am a nester. I like my home and I love my people, so I love to entertain. I love hosting gatherings in my house with friends and family, when the time is available to me,” Kelly said. “I like to cook and bake, but outside of the home, I like to do things that are kind of tranquil vibes. I like to go for long walks in nature, I like to do yoga, meditate and full disclosure, I love shopping. I love decorating, reading and I love taking classes. If I could be a perpetual student, I would be.”
Within the classroom, Kelly’s students are able to learn in the atmosphere she provides.
“She always taught us to be present in the moment and try our best. Her classroom was always a relaxed and enjoyable class to be in. Never was I stressed in that class or worried about what we were going to do,” Hyde said.
Many students, such as Edwards, previously had Kelly for Spanish 2, later having Kelly again for Spanish 3 Honors.
“Her strategy of teaching and the way she treats us is overall what makes it so easy to be in her class, she truly wants to be connected and learn about her students,” Edwards said.
Something Kelly focuses on teaching her students is the importance of change, the uncomfort it may bring and the ways change is possible.
“Ms. Kelly has taught me a lot about mindset, my favorite thing she said that stuck with me is ‘there is no good or bad decision, but every decision you make leads to an outcome,” Edwards said.
Kelly has been inspiring young minds for 29 years, in and out of the classroom, continuing to do so daily.
“Be the change,” Kelly said.
