349: Driving Change with Kay Kelly

| |

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with school psychologist Kay Kelly to explore her unique journey within the educational system and how she’s thinking outside the box to create real-world opportunities for students. Kay shares stories from her experiences in various school settings and how those shaped her passion for integrating mental health support with practical, hands-on learning.

This episode is a powerful look at the intersection of mental health, education, and innovation, and how one educator is helping schools create opportunities that last far beyond the classroom.

Quotables

**All quotes are from the interviewee**

  • “I think connecting with kids… It does feel different, but in some ways you still do the same things we want to have genuine connections with them, actively listen… I think theres a lot to hear in their lived experience.”
  • “The foundations haven’t really changed that much, but the way we engaged with them might be a little different.”
  • “There’s a lot of benefit in having those virtual communities where you can be a sounding board and provide those resources.”

About Kay Kelly

Kay Kelly is a dedicated and experienced School Psychologist with a proven track record in educational settings. Her expertise spans diagnostic assessment, counseling, intervention, and advocacy, and she is passionate about supporting students across all levels and settings. She is skilled in crisis response, collaborating within multi-disciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with educational regulations to improve student outcomes.
As a life-long learner, Kay Kelly emphasizes a solution-focused approach, working within a problem-solving framework to support students’ emotional and academic development. Over the years, she’s had the opportunity to lead and contribute to several impactful initiatives, including collaborating with the University of Kansas to help develop Multi-Tier Systems of Support and securing grants for innovative programs, such as a self-sustaining, student-run car detailing service at the high school where she worked. This program provided students in the life skills program with hands-on, real-world experience.
Kay Kelly remains committed to creating positive, lasting impacts on students, families, and educators through her current position with eLuma, a tele school-based company that provides access to high quality mental health providers.

Contact Kay Kelly:

[email protected]
Kay Kelly-www.linkedin.com/in/kay-kelly-3261279b
https://eluma.com/

Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter

  • Join here and grab a freebie!

Connect with Gretchen

Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.

Leave a Rating and Review:

This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2

  • Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.
  • Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’
  • Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”
  • Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info
  • Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)
  • Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast
  • Click ‘Send’

About the author, Gretchen

I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.

Tagged

Leave a Comment