Kelly L. Hollis

Welcome to my website! I hope this gives you an idea of who I am and what I do, as well as a sense of my passion for teaching. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns, or if you would like to speak with me about the possibility of employment in your school district.

Education:  

Field Experiences:  Peters Township Middle School, Bethel Park High School

   The path to becoming a teacher has not been an easy or direct one for me. Ten years ago, as a senior in high school with the world at my fingertips, I chose to attend Grove City College, renowned for its competitive admissions process and rigorous class selection. My goal was to attend law school after obtaining an undergraduate degree, and I fulfilled that dream when I was offered a full academic scholarship to the Duquesne University School of Law. As a law student, I put all of my time and effort into my studies and extra-curricular activities, and upon graduation I was offered a position as an associate litigation attorney in a Pittsburgh-based law firm. It did not take long, however, for me to realize that I was not fulfilling my true purpose in life. I felt as though I had a calling, but that by practicing law, I was failing to fulfill that calling. After much reflection, I realized what I knew in my heart all along – I belong in the world of education.

   Upon returning to Duquesne University to obtain my M.S. Ed. I immediately knew I had made the right decision. For the first time in my life, I felt like what I was doing would make a positive difference in others’ lives. As I completed the academic portion of the M.S. Ed. program, I thrived and excelled, earning a 4.0 grade point average. This past semester, I student taught at Thomas Jefferson High School. The experience solidified my belief that education is my true calling, as I found myself helping my students to grow and succeed over the past 15 weeks. Student teaching has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

   Even now, when the climate for teachers seems to have taken a turn for the worse, I am resolute to continue on my path. My experiences have helped me to develop a philosophy of teaching which includes a student-centered learning environment in which students can engage in meaningful and authentic tasks, a strategy of differentiation in the classroom which allows students of all ability levels and backgrounds to succeed, and classroom management strategies which provide clear standards of conduct in order to allow all students to feel comfortable in their learning environment.

   As a long-term substitute in both a local middle school and high school, I have worked hard to enrich the learning experiences of a variety of students, and I have come to realize this is truly one of the most meaningful careers I can pursue. I believe that my hard work and dedication to both my own studies at Duquesne and to my students make me worthy of teaching in my own classroom. I have received nothing short of the highest praise from my colleagues, and I am proud of the work I have done.