Wildwood Elementary

“Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.” –Rita Pierson, Educator. This quote has guided me throughout my entire career in education, and it is one that I choose to live by daily.

I am a proud graduate of the University of Florida, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family, Youth, and Community Science. I obtained my Educational Leadership degree from Saint Leo University in 2018.  Before moving to Sumter County, I spent five years in Alachua County serving in different capacities: K-5 interventionist, classroom teacher, and FCIM Facilitator.

I have been fortunate to serve the families of Wildwood Elementary School for the past six years in various roles. I started out teaching fourth grade before moving to the Literacy Coach position. I then went back into the classroom to teach third grade, followed by a year of third and fourth grade English Language Arts. It was during this time that I was recognized by the State of Florida as a Top 5 Finalist for Florida’s Teacher of the Year. This recognition led me to seek ways to make an impact outside of my classroom. Becoming an Assistant Principal provided me with that opportunity. In my new role as Principal, my mission is to positively impact the students at Wildwood Elementary and push them to reach their greatest potential. I will work extremely hard to create an atmosphere of trust, respect, and high expectations-all of which are vital to a positive school culture. 

 Our school motto is “Walking with Excellence and Success”, and I am so thankful to be able to join in this walk with our amazing students, staff, families, and community partners.

Kelly Kinley
Assistant Principal

I was born and raised in New Jersey. I started out my teaching career, as many teachers, I’m sure have, teaching the dolls on my shelf and my little sister. 

Our family moved to Florida a little less than 25 years ago. I earned my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University and my Master’s in Special Education from St. Leo University.  I began working with Sumter County Schools as a substitute teacher at North Sumter Primary School, where I found my true love, second to my family, of course, Special Education. I transitioned with North Sumter Primary as we became one, Wildwood Elementary School family. My first year as a teacher at WWES was spent with my kinder-babies. The next three years were spent teaching in a Special Education classroom. I found true joy each and every day working with my students to find their own style of learning, conquer obstacles and celebrate each success big or small. 

In 2015, I was honored to be offered a position on the WWES leadership team as the MTSS Coordinator. This position gave me the opportunity to continue to help students overcome their academic struggles and be given the support they require. It also gave me the opportunity to truly appreciate my amazing peers who not only teach but give their hearts to their students every day. I learned more about education and supportive strategies in those seven years than I ever did in college.

Wildwood is an amazing community filled with so many outreach groups that have dedicated themselves to supporting WWES. I have been honored to work side by side with groups like It Takes a Village, Tutors for Kids, Bless Wildwood, Big Brother and Sister and the Optimist Club, not to mention our local churches. Whenever WWES has a need, many times before we even get to ask, they are here to serve.

My 16^th year at WWES marked the start of my administrative journey serving the staff, students, and families that I love as Assistant Principal Intern.

In closing and in the words of Mya Angelo: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. Teachers touch the lives of so many students, but what our students take into this world with them is how we made them feel in the short time they have spent with us.