Edmonds, WA – On Wednesday, December 13th, morning show hosts Jen Pirak and Curt Kruse made a surprise visit to Seaview Elementary School to honor Mr. Brian Kelly as STAR 101.5’s Teacher of the Week.
Mr. Kelly works at Seaview Elementary in Edmonds, where he teaches a class made up of both kindergarten and 1st grade students. Alongside being named STAR 101.5’s Teacher of the Week, Mr. Kelly and his students were presented with gifts from the Washington State Potato Commission, Seattle’s Favorite Bakery, and McDonald’s. He also received an award plaque and a $101.5 check to help pay for classroom supplies. He was nominated for this honor by Nadina Khalil, whose son is currently a first grader in Mr. Kelly’s class. This same student’s uncle also had Mr. Kelly as teacher almost 30 years ago.
Mr. Kelly’s class began to incorporate both first graders and kindergarteners a few months ago, after budget cuts affected staffing resources at the school. While the change was sudden and unconventional, Nadia believes Mr. Kelly has taken the changes in stride saying, “In a matter of three business days. He was willing to go to great lengths to be a support for students. I have seen him give so much of himself financially, emotionally to his students that he, without a doubt, deserves this.”
Being one of the first educators in his students’ learning journey, Mr. Kelly understands he plays a significant role in giving his students a reason to love school. Although he is teaching 2 classes at once, he says there are benefits to have a split class, saying, “It’s kind of nice having the first graders that have a little experience and they remember what it was like to be in kindergarten, so they’ve been incredibly helpful and supportive towards the little ones”. His students have since called Mr. Kelly’s class ‘first-garten”.
Nominate your child’s teacher today!
https://www.star1015.com/2023/09/04/teacher-of-the-week/
