Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

4/21/05

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School Board to Recognize
Linda Kelly Lake View Elementary School Second Grade Teacher

On Monday, April 25, the Auburn School Board of Directors will recognize Linda Kelly, Lake View Elementary School second grade teacher, for her excellent career in public education. Growing up in a small town, Lamont, Washington, Mrs. Kelly knew she wanted to teach since she was a young child. After graduating from Washington State University with an elementary teaching degree, Mrs. Kelly chose Auburn School District for her first teaching job out of the eight districts that offered her a contract. Principal Bud Kuhlman, who recruited new teachers for Auburn School District, had convinced her to choose Auburn, which she has never regretted. “Auburn is a wonderful district to work for and my own two children, Steve and Michelle, received a great education here,” said Mrs. Kelly. She taught first grade for two years at Pioneer and two years at Chinook Elementary Schools before resigning to care for her two children for the next 13 years. During this time, Mrs. Kelly substitute taught a few days a week to “keep up on the changes in education.” In 1984, she accepted a half-time kindergarten teaching position at Lake View Elementary School. After four years, she decided to teach second grade full-time. She has continued teaching second grade at Lake View, sometimes teaching first/second and second/third grade combination classes. Mrs. Kelly is continually inspired by her students. “They are passionate about learning. The look on their faces when they are successful is priceless,” said Mrs. Kelly. She thoroughly enjoys teaching at LakeView because of staff and parents. “It is encouraging to know how much trust they (parents) put in you as their child’s teacher.” Lake View Elementary School principal, Mike Weibel, praises Mrs. Kelly, “Linda Kelly is an outstanding educator, colleague and person. She has touched the lives of a countless number of students, staff and community members during her time at Lake View with her skills as an educator, and the care she shows for each individual. ” Mrs. Kelly currently job shares teaching second grade with her daughter-in-law, Amy Kelly. Always sports fans, she and her husband, Wayne, a Boeing engineer, started Auburn Little League 20 years ago with 23 players. The league now has 800 players. Mrs. Kelly’s current interests include hiking, birding, traveling, reading, and sports.

For more information, contact Superintendent Linda Cowan at (253) 931-4914.