Kelly has spent over two decades in the public school system. She has worked as a master teacher, an assistant principal, a principal, and the manager of school leadership supporting educators and students in New York City, the Northeast, and Central US. As a master teacher in Harlem, she held a high bar for her students, moving more than 80% of her kindergarten students to reading on a first grade level. She developed multiple schools that were named National Blue Ribbon schools under her work as manager of school leadership and development.

She graduated top of her class from the Teachers College Literacy Specialist program, working closely with her mentor, Lucy Calkins. Kelly is deeply passionate about educational equity and ensuring every child has the opportunity to a high-quality, well-rounded education.