Southwest Teacher Kellye Steele is the April Laker Champion for Kids

Calloway County Schools has named Kellye Steele the April Laker Champion for Kids. Steele is a fifth-grade teacher at Southwest Calloway Elementary School.

The Laker Champion for Kids is awarded each month to a Laker staff member who goes above and beyond for students and colleagues. 

Steele was nominated for the award by Southwest principal Mark Mallory.

"Her dedication to the students of Calloway County is unmatched," said Mallory. “As a fifth-grade teacher here, she has dedicated over 30 years of service to the students of Calloway County. She maintains high expectations for all of her students, pushing them to reach their full potential. Though her teaching style may seem strict at first, her students quickly come to see her genuine care and concern for their growth and development. She goes above and beyond by also running the after-school LASER program at Southwest. She commits her time to providing a safe, enriching environment for students well beyond the regular school day and even through the summer months. In addition, she volunteers her time to help with academic team competitions, further demonstrating her commitment to student enrichment."

Steele also works closely with Calloway County Preschool principal Leisha Barlow in the district’s childcare program.

“Many people are unaware that she not only works tirelessly to meet the needs of the students in her classroom but has worked the last several years as the LASER site director to help ensure that all students enrolled at Southwest have access to after school childcare services,” said Barlow. “She works to provide a fun, educational program that helps many of the working families at Southwest. She also has recently served as the summer LASER director and has forged relationships with students from all over our district. She is always working to ensure that the students in K-5 across our district have fun, high-quality experiences during the summer months.”