Staff Profile

Welcome! I’m Kelly Shaw and I have the pleasure of spending my career here at Trinity East Elementary School since 1999. Having taught second, fourth, and fifth grades, I had since spent the majority of my career as a fourth grade teacher until my placement in third grade writing and science in 2020. I've found that teaching a variety of grades has helped me to better understand and appreciate the full spectrum of learning that takes place in elementary school.

Education has always been a very important part of my life. I graduated magna cum laude from Duquesne University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, and earned my Master's Degree in Reading (Reading Specialist Certificate) from California University of Pennsylvania. Since then, I have focused on the teaching of reading, language, and writing. I am a member of the International Literacy Association (ILA), Keystone State Literacy Association (KSLA), Keystone’s Corner Reading Council, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). In 2004, I was recognized as the Trinity Area School District Elementary Teacher of the Year; and in 2007, I was recognized as a Keystone: Technology Educator by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Technology Education. In 2016, I was honored to be the recipient of the Celebrate Literacy Award by the Keystone State Literacy Association. In 2018, I was recognized as the Elementary Teacher of Distinction by the Trinity Area Education Association.

In my classroom, reading and writing workshops are at the heart of the learning that takes place every day. I also strive to weave technology into my curriculum and work hard to make my lessons applicable to the real world.

I see education as the main tool that we have to prepare children for their futures. Since it's our students who will become the future leaders and citizens of this world, I feel nothing is more important than a quality education. Teachers have a unique and daunting responsibility to shape the future through their students. Because of this responsibility, I try to take each opportunity I can to shape the world around me for the better and to instill the same desire within the children I teach.

To achieve my goals, I see myself as having many different jobs in my classroom:

• Teacher as Academic Enthusiast: The root of education is a love of the content. I am passionate about literacy and want my students to leave my classroom with the same excitement that I have for reading and writing. I work hard to make this enthusiasm infectious and to foster a love of learning in my students, even those who come to me with little or no interest in school.

• Teacher as Cheerleader: It's my job to encourage my classroom team. I provide them with constant motivation to try new things and push them to reach their potential. I realize that learning does not come easily to all students and that I must endow my students with the belief that they can be successful.

• Teacher as Feedback Provider: In order to be successful and confident, students need positive reinforcement. I give my students praise for things they do well and provide extra assistance on skills where they need more help. Each student's journey in my classroom is one of progress and growth. 

• Teacher as Constructivist: While I am a presenter of knowledge, I certainly do not see myself as the sole source of knowledge in my classroom. I provide many opportunities for my students to seek knowledge for themselves.

• Teacher as Learner: Education is constantly changing and shifting the ways in which teachers think. I am never satisfied with what I already know; I strive to continuously learn more and to continuously improve my own teaching.

Becoming a teacher was the beginning of my dreams, I continued my lifelong goal as I served as adjunct professor at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA, teaching an undergraduate Children's Literature course.

I like to let my students know that I have a twin sister who teaches English and is department chair at Trinity High School. We are not identical, but we do look a lot alike! If you see her out and about in Washington, please feel free to say hello.

Although teaching is not an easy job, I feel lucky that there is nothing I would rather do. Making learning both engaging and purposeful for my students is my ultimate goal. I am looking forward to getting to know you this academic year!