Favorite Quote: “In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love. In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm. I realized, through it all, that… In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” — Albert Camus

Mrs. Kelly grew up in Metamora, IL and is one of PND’s two pioneering AP Capstone teachers. The Catholic community in Peoria is so strong, and she appreciates its love and support. Mrs. Kelly is committed to encouraging all kinds of learning in all people, so she also loves having the opportunity to try creative and rigorous projects and assignments that challenge her students and herself. Mrs. Kelly began her career as a crime reporter at a major daily newspaper. After a couple of years, she wanted something more challenging and fulfilling out of a career, and she found that in teaching. No two days are the same in her classroom, and she loves getting to constantly create and reinvent and tinker with her lessons. On another note, Mrs. Kelly is grateful for PND’s adoration chapel, where the Lord has taught her to listen more than talk in prayer. Final fun fact: Mrs. Kelly has been to an MLB playoff game (Cubs-Nationals 2017), an MLB game 163 (Cubs-Brewers 2018), a College Football playoff game (ND-Clemson 2018), and four NCAA men’s basketball tournament games (Bradley-Kansas and Bradley-Memphis 2006; Kentucky-Wichita St. and Kentucky-Michigan 2014).