by Alicia Moore
For the past seventeen years, Kelly Myrick has been serving students and educators in Springfield Public Schools. She started her career teaching business at Hillcrest High School and then joined the Blended Learning Department in 2016. Currently, she supports Kickapoo High School, Reed Academy, and Study Alternative School as a learning specialist.
Those who work with Kelly appreciate and benefit from her calm demeanor, positivity, and expertise. Jill Fink, math teacher at Kickapoo, would attribute much of her success with instructional technology to Kelly. She says, “Kelly is an advocate for classroom teachers. Always positive, calm, encouraging and ready to help. I am so thankful for Kelly.”
Jim Harvey, Assistant Principal at Kickapoo, highlights the credibility Kelly brings to her role: “Her experience as a secondary educator and her understanding of the dynamics of adult learning at the high school level has been a tremendous factor in our efforts to improve our instructional practices and strengthen our culture.”
When coaching STEP UP teachers, Kelly encourages and empowers those just starting their careers. First year teacher Renae Linke says, “She is an active listener and always has a positive perspective. She is willing to help out whenever anyone needs it. As a new teacher, she is like a superhero to me.” Kelly’s positivity also extends to experienced colleagues, including learning coach Barbie Mooneyham. Barbie, who works at Reed, describes her this way: “Kelly is one who consistently focuses on solutions. Being around Kelly challenges me to push myself by taking risks in learning situations while maintaining self regulation during the challenges.”
In the Department of Learning Development, our mission is to increase capacity in all. Jill Fink’s words show just how well Kelly lives out that mission: “Knowing she is there anytime to support my work in the classroom gives me more courage to try new things."