Meet PHMS Teacher Kelly Dougherty

Marple Newtown Patch is featuring great teachers in the Marple Newtown area who deserve some spotlight. Teachers give a lot to their students, schools and studies and we'd like to recognize them and say a simple, thank you, for all that they do. Meet this middle school science teacher who has a passion to be eco-friendly.

Name: Kelly A. Dougherty

School:

Grade/Subject: Sixth Grade / Science

Years in the Industry:  12

Teaching History: 

I started teaching in Marple in 1999 as a first-grade teacher at . I was there for seven years and loved every second of it. After my second daughter was born, I was assigned to Paxon Hollow Middle School.

What do you like most about your job? 

What I like most about my job is the rewards that come with seeing a child grow as person throughout the year. In September, the new students enter the building nervous and excited about the year ahead. Being a part of their growth process, seeing them accept the challenges, and become independent learners is the most enjoyable part of teaching.

Why did you become a teacher? 

When I was in elementary school, my parents decided to send us to private school. I switched schools when I was going into second grade. It was a tough transition but my teacher, Ms. Kennedy, made the transition so easy. She was a very loving, nurturing teacher. That’s when I decided that I wanted to be a teacher and help students like she helped me.

What do you like best about your current school (projects, programs or activities that your school is a part of): 

Last year, I started a Recycling Club. I had three students join the club. We teamed up with Terracycle, a company that takes our trash and turns it into recycled products, such as pencil cases, binders, bags, etc. Last year’s program was such a success that we were able to expand our recycling efforts to include paper. 

This year, I have over 50 students participate in the recycling club. Every Monday, the students are assigned to sections of the school and empty the recycling bins in each of the classrooms. Once completed, the students are responsible for transporting all of the recycled materials to the bin outside. 

I am amazed at what a success this program has become in such a short time.  The kids stop me in the hallways each week asking if we are going to recycle and are disappointed when it is cancelled. One of the major achievements of the Recycling Club was the awarding of a $1,000 grant for collecting the most cellphones out of all the participating schools. The success of this program could not have come without the help and support of Principal Steve Subers, Mr. Flood, Mr. Gretchen, and Mrs. Petty!