妻友社区

妻友社区 College of Education alumnus Jeff Kelly, Ed.D. (鈥�96), who earned a bachelor鈥檚 in middle grades education from the University, was named a 2018 National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Outstanding Middle Level Assistant Principal of the Year. Recognizing the significant role assistant principals play in the overall academic achievement of students, the NAESP recognition program honors one assistant principal (pre-K-8) from each state annually and highlights his or her efforts for student achievement and educational excellence. Kelly was recognized for his efforts as assistant principal at Upson-Lee Middle School (ULMS) in Thomaston, Georgia, where he administered and assisted in the creation of the school鈥檚 Response to Intervention (RTI) program, which is now used as a model district-wide. 鈥淭he foundation of this program is building positive relationships with our students,鈥� Kelly said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about focusing on an individual student and with the student鈥檚 help, developing strategies to help the student.鈥� The RTI program focuses on the development of the 鈥渨hole child and not one specific area,鈥� he explained. Kelly served as a math, science and Georgia history teacher at ULMS before transitioning to become an instructional coach and later an assistant principal at East Coweta Middle School. He returned to ULMS in 2015. Recently, Kelly accepted a position as the director of federal program and assessment for the Thomaston-Upson School District. 鈥淓very day is a different, challenging day, and that is what I enjoy the most about administration,鈥� Kelly said. 鈥淭he family environment within a small, rural school is what I love.鈥� Kelly explained that he choose to enter the administrative side of his educational career to build relationships with students, teachers, staff, parents and outside stakeholders. Becoming an assistant principal allowed him to do what he wanted the most — to be able to help the school community even more. 鈥淚 have worked under excellent principals who provided me with growth opportunities,鈥� said Kelly. 鈥淚 had teachers, instructional coaches and special education staff who gave me open and honest feedback that pushed me to become a better leader. NAESP is a great organization that is full of resources at your fingertips. I am glad to be a member of such a great group of leaders and humbled to be selected for this award in honor of my school district, employees and students.鈥� Kelly is also grateful to be an Eagle Educator. 鈥淎s I reflected back on the powerful impact my former teachers instilled in me, I knew at that very moment, I wanted to impact the lives of children,鈥� Kelly said. 鈥淚 chose Georgia Southern for my teaching degree because of its solid teacher-training reputation. The University has a small town feel while offering a quality educational teaching program. When I tell people I went to 妻友社区, there is a sense of respect for my educational past.鈥� Georgia聽Southern聽University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving more than 27,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast聽Georgia, the聽University聽provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities.聽Georgia Southern聽creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit聽.