5 Questions With. . .Kelly Holland ’12 MED on Building Better Schools Through Relationships

As assistant principal of Glendale-Kenly Elementary School, Kelly Holland ’12 MED strives to impact the life of every child enrolled in her school. The recent Johnston County Public Schools Assistant Principal of the Year winner talks to us about why she chose education as a career and how the NC State College of Education equipped her with the skills needed to help students and teachers achieve their personal best in this Q&A interview.

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Current Role: Assistant Principal of Glendale-Kenly Elementary School

Teaching Experience: Classroom teacher for 11 years at South-Smithfield Elementary School

Education: B.S. in Elementary Education, Methodist University; M.Ed. in Curriculum and Developmental Supervision, North Carolina State University; Master of School Administration, East Carolina University[/spotlight-box]

Why did you choose education as a career?

I chose education as a career because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of children. I couldn’t really see myself in a different career.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is having the ability to interact will all of the stakeholders involved in a school. I love the opportunity to build relationships with teachers, community members and parents. By far, the most rewarding part is the relationships that develop with those students that need extra support and love.

Did you always want to be in a leadership role at your school?

For most of my career as a teacher, I didn’t think about being a school administrator. One day a colleague of mine mentioned the N.C. Principal Fellows Program and I decided to apply. I believed that if I was accepted into the program then that was the path I should take. I was at a point in my career where I wanted to impact more students than just those in my classroom.

How did your master’s program prepare you for the situations you encounter as the Assistant Principal of Glendale-Kenly Elementary School?

The Curriculum and Developmental Supervision master’s program prepared me for the most important aspect of my job as an Assistant Principal. I am much better prepared to facilitate discussions on curriculum and coach teachers to better themselves. This is the most exciting and most important aspect of my job and the master’s program from NC State prepared me well for that.

Why did you choose NC State College of Education to continue your education?

I chose NC State College of Education to continue my education because I had heard nothing but positive things about it. I knew by choosing to attend NC State, I would gain the knowledge to impact important aspects of education in Johnston County Schools.