Hello I Am Joe Kelly
With over 40 years of experience in education, I founded Pathfinders Enterprises with a clear mission: to enhance educators' teaching methodologies, improve classroom and school environments, and significantly impact student learning outcomes. This is accomplished specifically through Conflict Resolution Training and Parent and Teacher Workshops. My passion is to equip educators with conflict-resolution skills and effective parenting principles that can be applied in the classroom. This will enable them to work more effectively with students and parents.
My Story
About Joe
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Married for 41 years
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40 years of experience as a teacher, coach, principal, and counselor
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Two Master's Degrees in Counseling and Administration
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5th Degree Black Belt in Martial Arts
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Certified Master Life Coach through Transformation Academy
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Certified Parent Coach through the Jai Institute
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Professional Experience
With over 40 years of experience in education, I have dedicated my career to helping students of all ages and backgrounds thrive. Throughout my journey, I have served as a teacher, alternative school counselor, assistant principal at a junior high school, principal at an alternative high school, and counselor at both the high school and elementary levels. I have had the privilege of working with students ranging in age from 5 to 70 years old, each with unique challenges and aspirations.
As the principal of an alternative high school, I took on the challenge of transforming a struggling institution. Over a period of five years, I increased the graduating class from just 15 students per year to 150. This achievement was not only about numbers but about creating a safe, student-centered environment where learning could flourish. I also played a crucial role in eliminating a gang culture within the school, replacing it with a positive atmosphere where students felt valued and empowered.
Personal Life
In my personal life, I have been married for 40 years and am a proud father of five children and twelve grandchildren. Martial arts has been a significant part of my life for over 30 years, and at one point, I ran a professional martial arts studio, which I later sold to my son. Though I continue working half-time in the school system, I am pursuing a coaching and consulting career to embrace a new pace and personal growth.
Recently, I authored a book titled Stormy Seas: A Guide To Helping Tweens and Teens Manage Conflict. I am in the process of getting this work professionally published, and I am excited to share my insights on conflict management with a broader audience.
My guiding philosophy is simple yet powerful: students don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. This belief has shaped my approach to education and has been the foundation of the positive changes I've been able to implement throughout my career.
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