Kelli Richelle

One year ago today, I made one of the hardest decisions in my life. After 15 years, I stepped away from my dream job of being a middle school teacher.

As a young girl, I always wanted to be a teacher. I remember, my sisters and I would play school in the basement. My parents even got us play school desks, math and reading workbooks, stickers for grading, and I made a teacher‘s desk.

Growing up in high school, I loved volunteering at the YMCA, for 10+ years I was involved with our summer day camp at camp Fitch, and I used to be a director the YMCA summer camp.

To be honest, I’ve just always enjoyed working with middle school aged kids.

They were silly. Their hormones were crazy. They said things that were literally off the wall, questioning, if you truly heard what they said! But many, had some of the biggest hearts and just needed an adult that they could trust and know that they were loved. Once they knew that, you could get any challenging student to truly put in the work.❤️

I feel like I could write a book about all the silly memories and special moments I had while making an impact on thousands of lives. Maybe one day I’ll do just that.

Today, as I wipe a few tears that come down my face, I know that I made the best decision in this season of life for me. I miss my kids and my PCLS community.

However, there are times in life when making the right choices for yourself is more than just difficult. There will always be a special place in my heart for Painesville City Schools and the MANY coworkers, kids (some now adults), and families that I got to serve.

I love and miss you all! Go Raiders!❤️🖤

#teacherforlife #middleschoolteacher #teachercareertransition #teachercareerchange #middleschooldays