Determination and Drive Equal Degree

posted 1/18/21 -- Head Start Teacher Kelly Fillip spent a lot of time juggling to complete her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education by the end of 2020.

Undaunted by COVID-19, Kelly said the hurdles in her path were meant to be leapt over.

“Determination and drive were the key forces to start back to school,” she said. “I am the kind of person that if I want something bad enough, I am determined and driven no matter what obstacles or hurdles that I face or deal with in my life. I chase it and eventually reach my goal.”

Kelly has been a lead teacher at Hopkins-Locke Head Start for 10 years. Prior to that, she worked at Hamilton Head Start in Elyria (now relocated to Griswold Road) as an assistant teacher for two years.

She was scheduled to finish her classes with the University of Cincinnati in August, but Ohio schools – including LCCAA Head Start – closing in March due to COVID-19 derailed her timeline. When classrooms reopened for the 2020-2021 school year, she was able to complete her student teaching and was awarded her degree in December.

Juggling classes, teaching, two other jobs plus her children and household was difficult, but worth it, Kelly said.

“This achievement will help me tremendously in my work because I have learned and gained so much knowledge that I have applied in the different ways that I teach my children,” she said.

Congratulations, Kelly!