GET TO KNOW : CHRIS KELLY , PTMS SCIENCE TEACHER eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
In any visit to our schools you will encounter talented and dedicated individuals who work hard to make Peters Township one of the best Districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania . In this issue , we would like everyone to Get to Know Mr . Chris Kelly , 8th grade science teacher at Peters Township Middle School . Mr . Kelly has been with the District since 2003 and also currently serves as the coach of the Girls ’ Varsity Volleyball team . Take a minute and Get to Know Mr . Kelly !
What made you want to become a teacher ? What made you pick science as your focus ?
In high school , my favorite class was biology . I became fascinated with dissection and learning about how systems within organisms functioned , so I chose biology as my major in college with no idea where that would lead me . I never wanted to be a teacher but later felt called to do so . I feel like I am fulfilling my God-given purpose by teaching . When I made the decision to go back to school to teach , it only seemed appropriate to focus on science .
What other interesting jobs have you held ?
When I first graduated from college I worked as a research assistant in the
STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
Polar Express Visits Kindergarten
December would not be complete in Peters Township without a ride on the Polar Express for our kindergarten students . The entire student body ( and staff ) at Bower Hill and Pleasant Valley dressed in pajamas to wish their youngest classmates well on their journey . The kindergarten classes enjoyed cocoa and treats while watching the storybook version of the classic tale .
70 PETERS TOWNSHIP asthma and allergy department at Children ’ s Hospital of Pittsburgh . There , I helped to run research studies on different medications for pharmaceutical companies . It was a lot of lab work and data collection . Since many of the studies required bloodwork , I was also trained in phlebotomy .
What is your favorite thing to do outside the classroom ?
Outside of the classroom my favorite thing to do is coach volleyball . I played Division 1 college volleyball at St . Francis and have been coaching at some level ever since I graduated in 1998 . I coached the boys ’ varsity team at PTHS for 8 seasons , the girls ’ varsity team at Baldwin for 11 seasons , and I ’ ll be entering my second season as the girls ’ varsity coach here at PTHS next fall . I have also coached 9 seasons of club volleyball . When I ’ m not coaching , which takes up a lot of my time , I enjoy down time at home with my family .
What has been one of your favorite projects / events / days at school ?
In class , I really like our roller coaster project that we do each spring as part of our physics unit . In my younger days , I always enjoyed the annual student / faculty basketball game here at the middle school . I especially enjoy our
middle school talent shows . I ’ m always impressed by seeing my students get up on stage in front of their peers to perform . That ’ s not easy to do in middle school . Honestly , I appreciate any opportunity to see my students show their talents outside of the classroom .
What do you wish every student would know after their time in your classroom ? About school , about themselves , about anything !
Upon leaving my classroom , I hope my students know that I love and care about them as people . Regardless of what ’ s going on in their lives , they matter , and they have worth . I want the best for them , and I love nothing more than to see them succeed . Even though I play a very small role in their lives , I have immense pride in them . I want them to know that there is no substitute for hard work and the best way to feel good about themselves is to put others first .
VFW Essay Contest Winners
Middle School students had the opportunity to take part in the Patriot ’ s Pen Essay contest sponsored by VFW Post 764 . The theme for this year was “ My Pledge to our Veterans .” The winning students at the local level are 8th graders Graycin Baldassare ( 1st place ), Brandon Jones ( 2nd place ) and Cole Celedonia ( 3rd place ). Graycin ’ s entry also placed first in District 24 representing 14 posts in both Washington and Greene