Kathy Kelly is the kind of teacher every child should be so lucky to have. She loves each of her students and finds the things that each of them likes and works to incorporate that into their activities. For example, my son, Chase loves dinosaurs and Kathy made little worksheets and even beginning reading books with my son's name, his picture and dinosaurs! She goes out of her way to learn about Down Syndrome and how to best maximize their learning potential by taking classes and seminars. We have an annual “Buddy Walk” with the local Down Syndrome Society and Kathy has participated for at least the past 2 years! She went out of her way to decorate her T-shirt with “her” kid's names on it! She isn't Chase's teacher this year as he's in the next room with the 3rd-5th graders. There are times when she still has him come in her room when the other children in his class are having an issue or are not going to an assembly and she takes Chase with her students. He loves her as do we. She goes out of her way to keep parents informed and takes her time during conferences and IEP sessions as well as just visiting about something great her students did. She takes them to community activities with the ARC and takes pictures that she shares with families. Kathy encourages the families with notes, pictures, helpful activities and visits. She went out of her way to bring something to our home that Chase forgot at school last year at Christmas break! For each child she makes special “Summer Fun Books” to keep their skills up to date. I have been a teacher myself for over 33 years as well as a Parent for almost 30 and of all of the teachers I've worked with in any capacity; Kathy Kelly is one of the best! In my professional and humble opinion, Kathy Kelly is an amazing woman, caring teacher, true friend as well as a loving daughter, wife and mom and most deserving of this honor! I am grateful that my family, as well as her current students at Isley, is blessed by knowing this wonderful woman. Please consider her for this honor. Thank you.