From a young age, Dessa Kelley always knew she wanted to be a teacher. While others would be outside playing, Kelley would have her textbooks in her hand, picturing herself as a teacher. Not only was Kelley drawn to being an educator, but she was also intrigued by science. Growing up, Kelley's mom would take her on vacation exposing her to science museums and community gatherings that would increase her curiosity.
Kelley decided to follow her childhood dream by earning her teaching degree in Math and an endorsement in science. Although Kelley took time off to raise two boys, she began her career as a science teacher in 2001 teaching sixth and seventh grade at Fegely Middle School located in Portage, Ind.
"I think science is a lot of fun, so that's how I ended up teaching science," Kelley said. "In my career, I've taught sixth and seventh grade. I love sixth grade. They are so curious. It's such a great age, and we have a lot of fun things in our curriculum."
One of the things I am excited about being added to our curriculum is the PLTW (Project Lead the Way)," Kelley continued. "This is the second year that sixth grade has had this. We spent several weeks working on that, and the kids are really engaged with that content."
Having to overcome a new teaching style due to the pandemic, Kelley witnessed a community joining together and persevered.
"I've seen our new incoming sixth grade parents, in many cases, more aware of the work that their kids are doing with the digital resources that they have to monitor their kids. It's just so nice to have their support," Kelley said
In Kelley's spare time, she loves traveling and road trips, sharing the world with her two boys.
"I feel very blessed that we have had some amazing experiences, touring places like Alaska to observe the glaciers and California," Kelley said. "A moment that stands out in my head is when we saw the Flight of the Bats at Carlsbad Caverns."
Both of Kelley's kids are in her classroom as students.
"I think that they probably think it's funny because so many of our family activities are surrounded around science when we go on vacation. We'll go to the beach or the forest. I'll point things out to them and then I talk about those things in my class," she said.
Kelley loves being a mom, walking with her dog, and reading a good book. She is also a proud Portage native.
"I attended all Portage schools--elementary, middle school, and high school," Kelley said. "It's really exciting to be back teaching in Portage schools and also having my children in Portage schools. I had a lot of great teachers. Very few teachers that I had are still there, but it's just neat to see that continuation and my son going to Portage High School. That's truly a full-circle kind of moment for me."