LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Tonya Kelly M.Ed was nominated anonymously.

Tonya Kelly M.Ed: An Ostomy Warrior Championing Student Well-being 

Mrs. Kelly is more than just an exceptional educator; she's an inspiration and valued educator in the Columbus community. As a dedicated teacher facing the challenges of living with an ostomy bag, she exemplifies resilience, strength, and an unwavering commitment to her students, families, and community well-being. Mrs. Kelly seamlessly integrates Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into her classroom. She fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel safe to express themselves, acknowledge their emotions, and develop essential life skills like empathy, communication, and conflict resolution. Recognizing the importance of mental health, Mrs. Kelly creates opportunities for open discussions, mindfulness, and fun, engaging activities. She encourages students to seek support when needed. She builds strong relationships with her students and families, acting as a mentor and confidante, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and valued.

Mrs. Kelly establishes clear expectations and provides literacy/STEM resources to help students take ownership of their learning. She creates a culture of accountability where students are encouraged to strive for their best while understanding that mistakes are growth opportunities. Her journey and resilience have brought the community joy. This year, she endured two major medical emergencies that left her unable to walk and other hardships. Even through this devastating situation, she continued to pour her heartbeat by returning to the classroom in August as a third-grade teacher. She serves as an inspiring example for her students and community. She openly shares her experiences, demonstrating resilience, courage, and the importance of overcoming challenges. Her story empowers students to face their obstacles with strength and determination.

Mrs. Kelly profoundly impacts the lives of her students and the broader community through her tireless efforts as an anti-bullying advocate. She directly impacted 25 students and over 250 families by working with local community partners, providing support services, food security, warm wear, clothing, and hygiene, and organizing initiatives to create a more inclusive and respectful school/home environment. Mrs. Kelly possesses an extraordinary level of compassion and empathy for her students. She understands that each child is unique and deserves a safe and supportive learning environment. Her strength and resilience in adversity make her an exceptional role model for her students, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and self-acceptance. She goes above and beyond to ensure the success of each student, providing individualized support and creating engaging learning experiences in her classroom. Even while recovering from her surgeries, she remained dedicated to her students and families in the community. She ensured that 100 youth and their parents were exposed to enriching cultural experiences by attending Broadway productions of "The Grinch" and "The Lion King." this year.

"Mrs. Kelly is a true LifeChanger. Her dedication to her students, families, and our community, commitment to their well-being, and inspiring personal journey make her an invaluable asset to the KIPP Columbus Elementary and Columbus community," said the nominator.