By Crystal Hayduk
[Under Superintendent Mike Kapolka’s leadership, the Chelsea School District began awarding Portrait of a Graduate (POG) MVP awards last fall as one way district staff can commend each other and highlight the ongoing efforts to incorporate POG competencies into their work with students. Currently, nominations are made by district staff. Beginning in March, there were two recipients of the POG MVP each month.]
Beach Middle School’s (BMS) social worker, Mara Kelly, often spends time with students during their lunch breaks. But on March 23, a veritable assembly of adults showed up, including central office administrators, the building principal and assistant principal, the counseling department staff, and the resource room teacher. Even though it was sixth grade lunch, there were some seventh and eighth grade students there, too.
Everyone was there to present Kelly with her March Portrait of a Graduate MVP Award, recognizing her efforts as she helps students acquire the skills of the 21st century learner: communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
“I was excited, touched, proud—and embarrassed, too,” Kelly said. “It was incredible to be recognized by the district.”
Alex Soule, a resource room teacher, nominated Kelly. “As a first year special education teacher, I have a ton of questions and my classroom requires a lot of support,” she said. “Mara has been a great resource and support for me and my students. As a social worker, it’s part of the job to be empathetic, kind, and supportive, but Mrs. Kelly goes above and beyond. She advocates for all students and always provides empathy. She is constantly working and thinking of new ways BMS can support students. Students and staff often look to Mrs. Kelly for guidance throughout their days. She encourages all her students to be advocates for themselves, while providing them the courage and confidence to do so.”
Kelly remembers wanting to be a social worker since she was about 10 years old. She attended Wayne State University (WSU) and fulfilled her childhood dream of working in the child welfare system when she took a position in an adoption and foster care agency.
While working at the agency, she returned to WSU for graduate school where she had a field placement in a high school. “I fell in love with being with kids where they are,” said Kelly. “Working in foster care and adoption, I’d see the children on my caseload only about once a month. But in school, you’re the first line of defense right where the kids are doing their job. I love being able to problem solve, to work with students as whole children, and to work with their families and teachers.”
Kelly worked at an elementary school in Waterford for five years before she and her husband moved to Chelsea.
“We closed on our house in fall of 2017 and the next day, this position was posted,” said Kelly. “There aren’t many school social work job openings, especially after the academic year begins, but incredibly, everything fell into place perfectly.”
The district allowed Kelly to finish her work in Waterford before making the transition to BMS, so she began her current job in January 2018.
After five years here, Kelly loves working and living in Chelsea. Although moving to a small community was a big adjustment at first, she’s realized how huge Chelsea is in other ways.
“What stands out to me is how much support there is,” she said. “There’s value placed on the whole child. Academics are important, but that social-emotional piece is valued. Everyone cares so much … and people are willing to do whatever they can to support students and families and each other. We have incredible students, families, and staff.”
Social workers take on different roles depending on the district they work for, said Kelly. Because her role in Chelsea is broad, she works with students in both special education and general education, while also doing interventions and proactive work.
She follows students for the three years they are at BMS, which allows her to witness their long-term growth. “Because it’s a small community, when I get my kids off the transfer bus at BMS, I see the high schoolers and see that growth from sixth grade through high school,” said Kelly. “Teachers get them for a year, but I get to see them for the long-term.”
Most of Kelly’s time outside of school is spent caring for her two boys, who are five and almost three years old. She takes them to gymnastics and is looking forward to their participation in T-ball this summer. Kelly also likes reading, hiking, and being outdoors.
BMS Principal Matt Ceo is proud to call Kelly a Chelsea Bulldog. Among the wide variety of roles she plays, he said, “… Mara Kelly’s most important role is being a safe adult for students to go to. No matter what she’s doing, she’ll drop it to have a conversation with a student in need.
“She coordinates with families, teachers, administrators, outside resources, therapists, law enforcement, [whatever is needed]. She will go the extra mile to make sure our students have as much care as we can possibly provide. She is invaluable to the culture and climate of our building.”
