College of Education alum receives national recognition for administration role

October 9, 2018

Jeff Kelly (pictured center) was recognized as NAESP Outstanding Middle Level Assistant Principal of the Year.

College of Education alumnus Jeff Kelly, Ed.D. (‘96), who earned a bachelor’s in middle grades education from Georgia Southern University, was named a 2018 National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Outstanding Middle Level Assistant Principal of the Year.

Recognizing the significant role assistant principals play in the overall academic achievement of students, the NAESP recognition program honors one assistant principal (PreK-8) from each state annually and highlights his or her efforts for student achievement and educational excellence. Kelly was recognized for his efforts as assistant principal at Upson-Lee Middle School (ULMS) in Thomaston, Georgia, where he administered and assisted in the creation of the school’s Response to Intervention (RTI) program, which is now used as a model district-wide.

“The foundation of this program is building positive relationships with our students,” Kelly said. “It’s about focusing on an individual student and with the student’s help, developing strategies to help the student.”

The RTI program focuses on the development of the “whole child and not one specific area,” he explained.

Kelly served as a math, science and Georgia history teacher at ULMS before transitioning to become an instructional coach and later an assistant principal at East Coweta Middle School. He returned to ULMS in 2015. Recently, Kelly accepted a position as the director of federal program and assessment for the Thomaston-Upson School District.

“Every day is a different, challenging day, and that is what I enjoy the most about administration,” Kelly said. “The family environment within a small, rural school is what I love.”

Kelly explained that he choose to enter the administrative side of his educational career to build relationships with students, teachers, staff, parents and outside stakeholders. Becoming an assistant principal allowed him to do what he wanted the most — to be able to help the school community even more.

“I have worked under excellent principals who provided me with growth opportunities,” said Kelly. “I had teachers, instructional coaches and special education staff who gave me open and honest feedback that pushed me to become a better leader. NAESP is a great organization that is full of resources at your fingertips. I am glad to be a member of such a great group of leaders and humbled to be selected for this award in honor of my school district, employees and students.”

Kelly is also grateful to be an Eagle Educator.

“As I reflected back on the powerful impact my former teachers instilled in me, I knew at that very moment, I wanted to impact the lives of children,” Kelly said. “I chose Georgia Southern for my teaching degree because of its solid teacher-training reputation. The University has a small town feel while offering a quality educational teaching program. When I tell people I went to Georgia Southern University, there is a sense of respect for my educational past.”