Core Responsibilities: Connecting families to community resources and assisting them in navigating complex systems as they advocate for their loved one with Down syndrome.
Previous Experience: Kelly holds a Masters degree in Elementary Education and is a licensed K-8 teacher. Kelly spent 12 years teaching fifth grade in Minneapolis Public Schools.
Personal Fun: Kelly spent a semester abroad in Merida, Venezuela as she worked on a minor in Spanish language studies.
More info: Kelly grew up in southeastern Wisconsin, but her strong Minnesota ties to her grandparents' rustic cabin outside of Ely drew her to the University of Minnesota to attend college for Elementary Education and Spanish language studies. Since then, Minneapolis has been home. After college, she was hired by Minneapolis Public Schools where she taught 5th grade for twelve years. During those years she married her best friend, Casey, adopted two cats, bought a home down the street from the school she taught at, shared her affinity for the Northwoods with her students on annual trips to Wolf Ridge ELC, had her first child, attempted gardening with varied success, practiced yoga and got better at breathing, danced like no one was watching during drop-in Zumba classes at Powderhorn Park, and had her second child whose birth diagnosis of Down syndrome opened her world to an incredible community she feels so honored to be involved with.
Hana Rogers, Family Connector & Northern Minnesota Regional Coordinator
