Petal Elementary principal is among America's best

PETAL – Petal Elementary fourth-grader Spencer Farris really likes his principal, Kelli Brown.

"She's nice. She's encouraging. She cares," he said. "She likes to walk through our classroom in the morning and check on us and see how we're doing."

Spencer looks forward to that morning walk-through.

"It makes us feel like we're cared for," he said.

Brown's attention to students is just one reason why she recently was named a 2015 National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Only 59 outstanding elementary and middle school principals from across the country and abroad received the honor this year. They were selected by NAESP state affiliates and by committees representing private and overseas schools.

NAESP Executive Director Gail Connelly said school principals are unique.

"Only a school principal can lead a school to success and positively impact an entire learning community," she said in a news release.

A two-day celebration last month in Washington, D.C., recognized the principals for their superior contributions to their schools and communities.

Dana Reed, Petal Elementary's intervention specialist, isn't surprised Brown was chosen as a distinguished principal.

"She would be the first to give us credit for her honor, however, our hard work is the result of her leadership," Reed said.

Brown, a former math teacher, said she loves watching her teachers work.

"Because I get to be in multiple classrooms each week, I can share what I observe with other teachers," she said in an email. "Teachers don't always get the opportunity to know what is going on in classrooms across the building.

"I can connect them with others across the building and good things can multiply exponentially and all of our children can be influenced by the work."

Fourth-grade teacher Wyn Mims said Brown has often stopped by.

"She knows what I do in my classroom and she is always checking in to see how I'm doing and what needs can be met for individual kids as well as the whole grade level," she said.

Brown said those classroom visits allow her to have an impact on the work of the teacher.

"The classroom teacher is the person that facilitates learning," she said. "By helping teachers grow professionally and by connecting them with the resources we have available, I can ensure the students of Petal get the best education possible."

Brown said her teachers work in Professional Learning Communities where they share ideas, resources and strategies.

They also have conversations with their students about taking pride in their work and always giving their best effort.

"Teaching students that learning is sometimes hard, but can be accomplished, helps build perseverance and the self-confidence to keep trying," Brown said. "By learning together, we are attempting to ensure students from the Petal School District are competitive with any student, anywhere."

Brown said she enjoys being a principal.

"I believe I have the unique opportunity to see the whole picture at Petal Elementary School," she said. "I love being in the classrooms and seeing the wonderful things our teachers are doing to help students.

"Every day, I work to be the best that I can be because the students, the staff, the families and the community that I serve deserve it."

Kelli Brown

Age: 37

Family: Husband, Jeremy; son, Brett; parents, Connie and Eddie Grimsley

City of residence: Petal

Education: Product of Petal schools; bachelor's in mathematics with minor in education and English, William Carey; master's in mathematics education and specialist's degree in educational leadership, Southern MIss

Employment: Math teacher grades 8-12; assistant principal, Petal Upper Elementary; principal, Petal Elementary