After nearly 20 years working as a school administrator, Daniel Kelley began his career at the University of Rhode Island as the associate teaching professor for educational leadership and policy in the fall of 2023.
As he heads towards the end of his first academic year at URI, he continues to develop his goal to spearhead the creation of a strong master’s program for aspiring school leaders.
While Kelley initially went into college with aspirations to be a pre-med student, he soon discovered that his passions lie elsewhere.
“That first biology class did its job and weeded out the students not meant to be there,” Kelley said. “I didn’t yet know who I was as a learner.”
Undeterred, he continued his journey in special education at Bowling Green State University in Ohio and quickly picked up an elementary education major as well. After his graduation from Bowling Green State University in 1997 and teaching for a year, he moved to Michigan where he worked as a special education teacher. Soon after, he met his wife and moved to Rhode Island, where he continued to develop his teaching career.
After a year of teaching and encouragement from a close friend, he began taking classes at Providence College to get a degree that would ultimately allow him to be a school administrator. Shortly thereafter, he taught as an assistant principal for three years at Cranston East High School and later at Smithfield High School for 17 years as a principal. Now, as a professor at URI, Kelley reflected on how time consuming being a principal really is.
“It often turns into a 24/7 job, which isn’t sustainable for any person,” Kelley said.
Part of his mission in the new master’s program is to help principals find more balance in their work and personal lives, said Kelley. He also aims to help future principals feel the same joy he did while watching both students and teachers grow. He felt truly inspired and passionate about his work, especially when students would visit him years later and thank him for the difference he made in their lives.
The many roles required of principals can be challenging to manage and Kelley hopes his efforts in the master’s program will guide aspiring administrators through the profession.
“You have to be the building leader, the leader of teaching, learning and answer to the community,” Kelley said. “It’s hard to be the teacher of learning when you’re trying to stop kids from making TikTok videos in the bathroom.”
When asked which work experience he has enjoyed the most, Kelley said there is no straight answer to the question.
“I’ve had a lot of really unique jobs in my life and they’ve all served some sort of purpose at that moment in time,” Kelley said. “They all taught me something very valuable.”
Adding on to his list of professions, even his summer jobs held as a young student helped him build relationships with people, Kelley said. His employment at a crane company, job loading boxes into a truck and experience as a landscaper at a business run by his father all contributed to a unique learning experience that shaped him into the person he is today.
“We have to be able to have good relationships to develop good communication skills and communicate with a variety of people,” Kelley said.
When not in the classroom, Kelley enjoys hunting, fishing, working out and spending time with his family. In addition to this, he will be continuing his education and beginning his doctorate classes in July.
Kelley’s efforts and passion are noted, as the new master’s program continues to be developed and becomes a new addition to the many opportunities available at URI.