James Kelly, ELA Teacher, 8th Grade, Team Blue Spruce, Cresthill Middle School. Founder and host of Chess Club and Magic the Gathering Club
James Kelly, B.A. (hons), M.A., R.G.N., PGCE (Cantab)., QTS.
I have many passions and hobbies. Liverpool Football Club is a great, lifelong love of mine. That said, I do follow Chester FC as well, as I played for them when I left school and my grandfather was a famous player for them. I love photography and have my own online business to sell my work. I regard my bike as my magic carpet and cycle daily, as I have all my life. I used to race to a high standard, and was on the same NWV Kodak Team that starred Chris Boardman, who went on to win World and Olympic titles, and lead the Tour de France. I represented my college, Cambridge University, in both football and cycling, winning a Blue. In my spare time, I play Bass guitar, read, write, play Magic the Gathering, Hnefatafl, and Go. I love to watch films, draw, and spend quality time with my beautiful puppy, Mini Myoko Crumpet Kelly!
I was born in England on The Wirral, an historic peninsula situated betwixt the Rivers Dee and Mersey, and the mighty Irish Sea. I am of Irish descent- 96% DNA- and speak Gaelic. My Clan is Ireland's oldest, and I have ancestors and relations in Dublin, Armagh, Waterford and Galway. My favourite place to visit (other than the Old Country) is Italy, and I was recently at Pompeii. I have had a varied life and my careers have taken me all over the world. My favourite cities are Cambridge, where I studied at Hughes Hall, York, Liverpool, Chester, Brugge, Seattle, New York and San Fransisco.
The picture above shows one of my former schools in England. Literature and Language have been the guiding passions of my life, and my knowledge and experience, enthusiasm and love of these things are what motivates everything I do in the classroom. I have taught English for 22 years (11 at Cresthill) at every level from 5th Grade to Undergraduate! I love to learn and study, find life endlessly fascinating, and I hope I transmit this to my students. All I ask of my career is that I open a window or two for youngsters, and if they choose to lean out, they notice the endless possibilities that await.
I have been a committed Buddhist for over thirty years now, and I love to lean on my faith both in times of sadness and joy. It has been a comfort and an inspiration to me, and is a huge part of who I have come to be a person.