CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — "We’re allowed to make mistakes. Mistakes are going to be on the road to getting it right,” says Mr. Quinten Kelly, our News19 Teacher of the Week.
Students are learning math and science in Mr. Kelly's classroom at Manning Elementary in Clarendon County, but they're also learning so much more.
But don't take our word for it. You can ask Dylan who is one of his students.
“He is one of the best teachers I've had. He pushes you, too. He’s just one of those teachers that loves you and wants you to be successful,” says Dylan.
For the past six years, his students' successes have fueled him to become a better educator.
“When they get that swag, then they can have that built in confidence. And when you have confidence, then you have intrinsic motivation. And when you have that set at this stage of life, it carries on throughout the rest of your school years,” says Kelly.
“He's sweet. He's nice. And he's always trying to push you to your limits,” says Dylan.
Mr. Kelly is originally from Queens, New York. He moved to South Carolina to take care of his grandparents. He started working as a trainer for a telecommunications company but his wife and children saw potential to turn his talents towards the classroom.
“He loves to teach someone something that they didn't know. So, I told him, all this energy you use in regular everyday life. I think it would be great to use it in education,” says Robin Kelly, Quinten's wife.
“You need to get an education. That's your passion. That's what I see in you. And she seen it, before I did. And so that's what led me to this point," says Kelly.
His first year as an educator was at Manning Primary, but for the past five years he's been working at Manning Elementary alongside his wife who's a guidance counselor at the school.
“He teaches a lot. Every morning, every Sunday school, whatever we're doing, it's a teachable moment. Sometimes as educators, you don't really get to see how much of your impact is until years later. So, for him to see this, that'll give him the push and the drive to continue doing what he normally does," says Robin.
“I'm happy that he's able to see something materialize, where he's able to be recognized for something that he loves. And he's so dedicated, it makes it all worthwhile,” says Robin
If you know a teacher like Mr. Kelly who deserves to be recognized for their hard work in the classroom you can nominate them by emailing us at TOW@WLTX.COM. Tell us what that educator is doing every day to go above and beyond in the classroom.