Dr. Kelly began her career in education as a mathematics teacher in 1993. In 1995 she joined the mathematics department at Revere High School and has remained a member of the Revere Public Schools staff since then. While in the classroom, Dr. Kelly also served as President of the Revere Teachers Association and Lead Teacher of the Mathematics Department. Prior to being named Superintendent, she served in several other administrative positions including Dean of Students at Revere High School; District Director of Mathematics; District Director of Math, Science, and Technology; and Assistant Superintendent.
Dr. Kelly has served on several state education committees including Co-chair of the State of Massachusetts Mathematics Common Core Review Panel, the Massachusetts STEM Operations Board and the K12-Postsecondary Pathways Working Group. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics as well as her Doctorate in Urban School Leadership at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She earned her Master’s degree in Mathematics for Educators at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Dr. Kelly’s professional advocacy focuses on teacher leadership and empowerment as well as equity and social justice for all. Current efforts include partnerships with the Massachusetts Consortium for Innovative Educational Assessment (MCIEA), the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Deeper Learning Dozen (DLD), and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Kaleidoscope initiative.
With Dr. Kelly’s guidance, the district has created over 100 teacher leadership positions allowing teachers to focus on their leadership and professional growth while still retaining their positions in the classroom. These include Professional Learning Group facilitators, Consulting Teachers, and Curriculum-based Lead Teachers.
Dr. Kelly worked with her team used input from community members, staff, students and the Revere School Committee to create a District Improvement Plan articulating the district’s commitment to enhancing equity and inclusion. Equity-based strategic initiatives include increasing gender and racial diversity of staff, particularly among teachers and administrators; providing learning experiences on antiracism, restorative practices, and equity for all staff and students; creating a district-level Equity Advisory Board to coordinate the school-based Racial Equity Teams; and dismantling structures that inhibit equity like tracking while increasing equity in grading and instruction through Mastery Based grading systems and through a focus on Deeper Learning experiences.
Dr. Kelly was the Co-chair of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents’ Urban Superintendents Network for the past six years and is currently President of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.
Past AASA Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2021 Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year: Dr. Robert Baldwin
2020 Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year: Bradford Jackson
About the Award:
The Superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State-level winners are selected on the following criteria:
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- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement