Blythewood High School teacher to help shape national education policy

Blythewood High School AP Government teacher Patrick Kelly has been named a 2016–2017 Teaching Ambassador Fellow by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). Kelly served as a 2015 Classroom Teaching Ambassador Fellow. He was the 2013-2014  Richland Two District Teacher of the Year and one of five finalists for S.C. Teacher of the Year.

Kelly is one of two teachers  and a principal who will serve a full-time employee at the Department of Education’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. Another seven teachers and principals will serve as part-time fellows from their schools. The 2016 Fellows will launch their outreach in mid-September during the Department’s annual back-to-school bus tour.

“I am grateful for the overwhelming support I have received from Dr. Hamm, Dr. Hafner and others in Richland Two to spend a year in DC as a Teaching Ambassador Fellow.  I know I am blessed to have been given this unique opportunity to grow professionally and bring teacher voice to the formation of national educational policy,” Kelly said.

“Patrick embodies the best of our profession and we are so proud that he has received this honor,” said Superintendent Dr. Debbie Hamm. “Although we will certainly miss him, we are excited for him. We know he will return bursting with new ideas and experiences to share.”

The Fellowship program is designed to improve education for students by involving practitioners in the development and implementation of national education policy. Fellows work collaboratively with one another and Department staff to provide outreach to teachers and principals among other stakeholders to help them understand the DOE’s policies, programs and resources.

Photo: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Patrick Kelly