I have worked with Kelly for 3 years! She has amazing relationships with each and every student at our school. Not only does she build lasting relationships with students, she is also a confidant, friend and mentor for the entire staff! Kelly Cates is someone I aspire to be! She is a life changer in my book!
I have worked with Kelly for four years. She is an amazing co-worker and friend. I admire her ability to know all our students names and the close connections she has with our families. The first year I taught with her - she showed me the ropes of my job. I was in and out with cancer too. She covered my job while I was out and never complained. She always took time to check up on me. She still asks me how I am doing and really listens to me. If I need support with a child she is the person I talk with and she always gives me advice that I can use immediately in my class. She represents integrity, loves working with the students and teachers, and very caring person. She would give you her last dime if you needed it. She has been a fabulous role model for me and definitely deserves to be given the Lifechanger award!
Kelly is one of the most compassionate people that I know. She loves each and everyone of the students at McClure. Also the ones that have went on to further there education. You Rock Kelly Cates! One in a million!
About 20 years ago Mrs. Cates became my very first teacher at Marshall Elementary. I was four years old at the time anxious and scared going to school. Mrs. Cates gave me comfort and made me feel safe. I am very lucky to have been one of her students and if I had it my way my daughter would've been a student as well. She is an amazing teacher and person and to this day still my favorite teacher.
Kelly is one of the most genuine people I know... She truly put heart heart in to each child she comes across.. She was my children's first teacher and any new mom dropping her child off on the first day of pre-k knows that feeling of anxiety for your child as well as for me the parent.. But she totally put my and my child's mind at ease... She is the same all the time... All heart... Truly one of TPS true gems... She is simply amazing.. She deserves this award now and 23 years ago when my daughter started school... Thanks Kelly for just being you...
Kelly is one of those people that once you meet her, your life is changed for the good, forever. I work closely with her every single day in many different aspects. No matter what I can count on Kelly to laugh at bad jokes with me, cry over things with me and give me that push I need to keep going. She does all that and more with each of our kids. She is the epitome of compassion, respect and kindness. My life is better because Kelly is in it. The same is true for our kids as well.
My family is very grateful for Mrs. Cates. My son has autism and had her as his first grade teacher. She helped him learn to excel in a regular education classroom so he was able to learn grade level curriculum and began learning how to form social connections with his peers. He is in sixth grade now and we still keep in touch with her because of the impact she had on our family!
I too work at McClure, I've been here quite awhile. It isn't very often that one person makes a huge impact on the adults in the building as well as the students, Kelly Cates is one of those people. The students love her. She is kind, caring and compassionate. The adults love her- she is kind, caring, compassionate, and genuine. She always has a smile on her face, and acknowledges everyone she crosses paths with. If she ever has a bad day, you would never know it. She is an absolute asset to this school and our community. It would be a devastating loss if she ever left. (she isn't allowed to by the way). :)
Kelly Cates is a shining gem in the school system! She was my eldest son's pre-K teacher and we loved her from the first day of school. She treated every student in her class like the special people they are. She loved every student and you could see it on her face and in her actions. She was always there to push my son to do his best and challenge him. She understood the needs of each of her students and addressed those needs in a loving and caring way. Our family was so blessed to have her as our son's first teacher in school. She helped him form a firm foundation for his schooling years ahead. We are very grateful for her! She is a LifeChanger!!
Kelly Cates is an amazing adult who loves people. She meets students where they are Socially, Emotionally, and Academically. She holds high expectations to move them forward so they can achieve all their hopes and dreams. if they come to the table with no dreams she pulls it out of them and continues to check in with them until they own their personal goals and have achieved them while continuing to create new goals. She makes it look easy everyday in working with some of the most extreme behaviors to move students to love themselves, love school, and love others for who they are. She knows all 450 of our students by their first names and makes each one feel important by calling them by their first name. The work I do only happens because of her strength and support she brings everyday to move students to meet their best daily! I can't imagine doing this work without her on my team!
LifeChanger is right! I think you could go up to any student, educator, or person Kelly has come in contact with and they could list off the ways that Kelly has changed their life for the better. She is always going above and beyond to make sure students AND teachers know they are valued. She takes the time to listen and learn what is going on in kids lives, why they may be acting out. She forgives them when they misplace their anger and take it out on her. She advocates for students and refuses to give up on them. Every kid in that building knows her name, I know this because I have the pleasure of looking like her and get called Ms. Cates any time I visit, which I take as the highest compliment. She is not only an amazing teacher; she is an amazing person and I feel so honored to have her in my life.
I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Kelly over my entire educational career which is in it's 19th year. Kelly embodies what every teacher should strive to be. The first word that describes her is compassion. Her heart is so big- that every single student who has crossed her path, has a place in it. She connects with students and families in a way that I have never seen another person do successfully. She builds relationships with students that others see as failures, or damaged. She instills a confidence in them that they never knew they possessed. She teaches students according to their needs. There is not a single child that she has not figured out how to reach.
I serve as a principal and she is the person I recruit to help new teachers. If every teacher taught and reached out to students like she does, there would not be an education crisis.
Kelly not only serves students, but adults as well. She accepts extra duties and serves way above and beyond her job duties at all times. She wears over 50 hats at any moment and does it without batting an eyelash. She always works towards what is best for students. That means working with other teachers, helping parents or sometimes making sure that a student has clothes and shoes by purchasing them herself. She will be the teacher in the building on evening events, watching the students soccer games on the weekends, running an after school club to keep students engaged and physically active, going out of her way to greet every student in the morning so they have at least one smiling face in their corner.
She has students and families from her first year of teaching who still seek her out. If they see her in the community, they run and give her the biggest hugs! She is still connected with them and has seen students through marriages and having children of their own. She has even had to help families deal with tragedy.
Kelly is simply amazing. To call her a Life Changer is really not sufficient. I'm not sure there is a word that exists to describe her.
Kelly is the most amazing teacher! She stops at nothing to make every student successful. Not only does she help teachers when a student is in crisis, but she supports the student until they are fully ready to get back to the classroom.She pushes all kids to be their best self, and stops at nothing to make sure they are supported. She carries herself with humility and displays a genuine attitude every time you interact with her. Our school would not survive without Cates, WE LOVE HER!!!
As the Social Worker at McClure I work with Kelly daily, and am So Thankful for her friendship and her heart for our students. Kelly always steps up and will help when needed-she has made home visits with me, helped me with my holiday assistance events and is ALWAYS there for the kids. They love her as she loves them, Kelly is a asset to McClure and a Lifechanger every single day-proud to call her my friend, Her compassion and light shines on all of us, Charity
I can not imagine knowing another person that invests more of herself in a child's future than Kelly Cates. She gives a part of herself to each student she encounters. If her caring and interest in each student were the only measure of her success in her chosen field of education, you couldn't choose a better example of a "life changer".
Kelly Cates is a great asset to our school! She lends a helping hand to all the teachers when we need her. She helps with children who are struggling to be in our rooms, when they leave with her she goes above and beyond helping them calm down and feel safe.
She is a great friend to have! I'm glad I get to work with someone who cares as much as she does.
Much deserved for a person that cares more about others than oneself!!!
Congratulations to Kelly! She is a LifeChanger! What is inside shows on the outside of a person. Lucky school and students to have her dedication and compassion toward them. We salute her!
Worked with her for 3 years and she is such a blessing to all the students and staff. Kelly will always give it her all for the students and staff alike.
I taught with Kelly at the very beginning of our careers and again a few years ago. She is an amazing teacher and a wonderful role model for students and young teachers as well.
No other person in my life has served as such a source of personal and professional inspiration. Kelly Cates is an amazing woman and a blessing to the community.
I am so proud to consider Kelly Cates a friend! ??
Kelly Cates changes lives for the positive literally every second of the day. I’m with her!
Kelly Cates is a great leader especially when it is needed. She took over a position in the AET that was difficult and turned it into hope for kids at McClure.
Kelly is amazing and does everything in this nomination and more! Her demeanor with kids is always soothing and uplifting. Her practices reflect restorative conversations with kids and bring about equity for all kids and families. Thank you Kelly for all that you do!
I had the honor of working with Kelly for three years. She truly cares about the students. She fulfills many different roles in her teaching day and always has a smile! Additionally, she understands the need for self care and spends time outside of school to recharge and revitalize herself (along with her family) so she has the stamina to build those vital positive relationships with students.
Just by reading these comments, it’s very obvious Kelly is passionate about her students. Her nurturing and caring nature has not wavered over the years. She treats every student as if they are her favorite and makes them feel special. You are well deserving of this nomination Kelly!
Kelly is my sister-in-law so, I know first hand that she is an amazing teacher! Not because I work with her, but because she is my family and I know the real her. She is genuine, compassionate and selfless. Her students and staff are lucky to have her fighting for them each day. And, we are lucky to have her in our family to look up to. Kelly definitely fits the title LifeChanger :)
I have had the pleasure of working with Kelly Cates in two different schools and two different positions first as a classroom teacher and more recent in the position of Academic Engagement Teacher. Ms. Cates has many unique qualities. Unique in that they are rarely seen encompassed in one person and in such a consistent manner.
To have individuals on your school team that possess her compassion for our students and sheer willingness to get in the trenches and advocate for children was a blessing indeed. Ms. Cates never hesitated to look “under every stone” to find a solution to assist a child. Often her dogged way of supporting children could leave one exhausted and speechless. Ms. Cates is what in the profession we call “a teachers’ teacher” as she embodies all of the characteristics needed to perform in this profession and modeled them every day.
Ms. Cates naturally inspires by doing and planning together the nuts and bolts of potential solutions. Her pragmatic approach created a working environment where all team members appreciated working together to bring constructive results.
However, with that said the most inspiring component about Ms. Cates is how much the children love her. That spontaneous first look when they would see her. The story was in their eyes knowing they were cared for no matter their truth. After 30 years in the field of education I know that sparkle in children’s eyes that can’t be bought only earned by their childlike understanding of Ms. Cates consistent love and discipline.
I am sorry to say I don’t get to work with her on a daily basis as before BUT frequently thoughts come wishing Ms. Cates was in the building or thoughts of WWKD !!
Without a doubt Ms. Cates touches lives of the most vulnerable – children in poverty and emotionally neglected.
It is a natural as breathing for her but impacts all of us that are lucky enough to be caught in her wake.
Kelly is amazing, she makes it a point not only to make every child feel special and important but to make every teacher in the building feel special and important as well. Those of us who are specialists sometimes feel left out, because we don't really have a team. The fact that Kelly makes it a point to include us is very valuable. Kelly is also great at mentoring teachers, several teachers have Kelly as a coach and she gives them great advice that turns teachers from struggling, frustrated, educators to excited, and empowered life changers of their own. Every student in the school loves Mrs. Cates. Every person in our school feels loved by Mrs. Cates. IF anyone is a life changer, she most definitely fits the description.
As an educator myself, I can tell you Kelly is as good as they come. She loves her children & truly wants what's best for them. She will & does go to the ends of the earth for them. She has made such an impact in many lives already & she's not done yet. I can't think of anyone more deserving.
Kelly is truly amazing. She will stop at nothing to ensure success of students.
Kelly Cates is an amazing educator and person. I learned so much from teaching with her for my first 8 years of my career. She was always willing to help in any way she could- explaining something, letting me use or borrow materials, demonstrating something while I observed, taking a student for a break, flexing student for small groups, or planning with me- it didn’t matter, she was there. I am the teacher I am today because of her example. Kelly loves each student as her own and lets them know they are important and capable of anything. Each day is a new day for her students... she never lets a previous bad day continue to shadow the next. Kelly is compassionate and an excellent educator. She is a LifeChanger... to me and to every student whose life she has touched.
I work with Kelly. She is an amazing human being. She works harder than anybody I know. She knows all of the students, what works for them and what doesn’t. She feeds them, listens to them, helps them, and talks with them. She never hesitates to help out when needed. She is definitely a LifeChanger.
She is a life changer outside of school as well! She is an inspiration to all those around her, including at the gym! Always so encouraging on top of putting in the hard work for herself!
Kelly this nomination is really no surprise to anyone that knows you. You are an awesome person and I’m grateful that I got the chance to meet you. You’ve become not only a great CF teammate but a friend. You are changing lives, Girl!!!! Congratulations on a well deserved nomination!
I worked with Ms. Cates for a few years during my first few years of teaching in Oklahoma. She truly does care for the students she works with in an extremely high needs area of the city. Thanks for staying tough! It’s not something every teacher can do and these children are lucky to have people like you working with them.
I worked with Mrs. Cates and fully agree, she is quite amazing!
Best example of a life changer!
Kelly supports kids that struggle behaviorally and sometimes academically. She shows up everyday and relentlessly mentors, teaches, supports, coaches and loves kids and adults. She selflessly gives and gives to others. She goes above and beyond to meet the needs of students and teachers. She changes the lives of others every single day; one small, consistent step each and every day.
This is EXACTLY how I would describe Kelly Cates. I worked with her for 12 years and is someone who gives her all 100 percent of the time. The kids love her, her colleagues, parents, the list goes on and on. This would be an amazing and DESERVING award for Ms. Cates!!
Over the last three years, Kelly and I have gotten to know each other on a deeper level. I leaned on her so much while I was pregnant with my kiddo and being a working mom. So thankful for this relationship. She IS a life changer
I worked with Ms. Cates for a few years during my first few years of teaching in Oklahoma. She truly does care for the students she works with in an extremely high needs area of the city. Thanks for staying tough! It’s not something every teacher can do and these children are lucky to have people like you working with them.
Kelly and I have been married for nearly 25 years. That has afforded me the unique opportunity to observe her teaching career from Day 1. Kelly was meant to be a teacher. I tell people often that she is one of those people that truly is using a talent given to them. The passion in which she interacts with children is incredible. I can see it in her eyes every night as she tells me about her day. She pours her heart into the kids she works with and expects nothing in return. She helps the kids to be successful in many ways. Sometimes they might need a place to "chill out." Other times they might just need a quick snack. And occasionally they might even need some tough love. Kelly provides all this and more. She makes a different in children's lives - and isn't that what teachers should do?
Kelly touches so many students’ lives in our school on so many levels. She has an amazing ability to connect to each child and make them feel that the bond they have with her is important. Quick to forgive but invested enough in her students to help them not make the same mistakes over and over. Kelly has a lot of tools and her warmth and sincerity wins them over every time. I’m a long time educator and learn a lot from Kelly throughout the year!
I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Kelly over my entire educational career which is in it's 19th year. Kelly embodies what every teacher should strive to be. The first word that describes her is compassion. Her heart is so big- that every single student who has crossed her path, has a place in it. She connects with students and families in a way that I have never seen another person do successfully. She builds relationships with students that others see as failures, or damaged. She instills a confidence in them that they never knew they possessed. She teaches students according to their needs. There is not a single child that she has not figured out how to reach.
I serve as a principal and she is the person I recruit to help new teachers. If every teacher taught and reached out to students like she does, there would not be an education crisis.
Kelly not only serves students, but adults as well. She accepts extra duties and serves way above and beyond her job duties at all times. She wears over 50 hats at any moment and does it without batting an eyelash. She always works towards what is best for students. That means working with other teachers, helping parents or sometimes making sure that a student has clothes and shoes by purchasing them herself. She will be the teacher in the building on evening events, watching the students soccer games on the weekends, running an after school club to keep students engaged and physically active, going out of her way to greet every student in the morning so they have at least one smiling face in their corner.
She has students and families from her first year of teaching who still seek her out. If they see her in the community, they run and give her the biggest hugs! She is still connected with them and has seen students through marriages and having children of their own. She has even had to help families deal with tragedy.
Kelly is simply amazing. To call her a Life Changer is really not sufficient. I'm not sure there is a word that exists to describe her.
