About Kelley

General

After more than a decade of teaching in Westerville, my husband, Christopher, and I chose to move our family here from our North Linden neighborhood. The excellent schools, strong sense of community, high-quality services, and my job with the district made Westerville the clear choice for our permanent home. With our son, Edison, now in kindergarten and 20 years until I retire, we’re committed to this community for the long haul.

As a government teacher, I’ve always had a deep interest in politics and policy—but my heart is in local government and its power to improve everyday lives. When the opportunity to run for City Council came along, I knew I had to step up—to protect what makes Westerville great and help guide its continued progress.

In my "free" time I enjoy running around and having fun with my son, accompanying my husband on his skydiving adventures, and exploring metro, state, and national parks through hiking, rock climbing, and camping. I have also been a gymnast most of my life. I recently joined the Ohio State Club Gymnastics team as an alumni competitor and started competing again for the first time in 30 years. My husband is an avid skydiver and base jumper and is working to get his coach's rating to help bring others into the community. My son participates in the Westerville Amateur Soccer Association (WASA) and Westerville BMX.

These experiences are fundamental to the way I see our community and the role of a city council member. Like many others, I want a safe and sustainable community with plenty of opportunities to enjoy activities and the outdoors with my family. Westerville's award winning parks, expansive bike trails, and opportunities for family engagement were big factors in my family's decision to call this community home. If elected, I will do everything necessary to protect these aspects of our community that so many of us enjoy.

Professional Affiliations

I am a proud and active member of the Ohio Education Association (OEA) and have had the privilege of lobbying state lawmakers on behalf of public education. Advocating for strong public schools is deeply personal to me—as both a teacher and a parent—and I’m committed to making sure educators' voices are heard at every level of government.

I also serve as a Faculty Representative for the Westerville Education Association (WEA), where I attend executive board meetings and help keep members in my building informed about key developments in our profession. Additionally, I serve as WEA’s Political Action Committee Chair, working to support school board candidates and levy efforts that will benefit our members, their students, and their families.

Beyond my local involvement, I am a board member for the Ohio Council for the Social Studies (OCSS). In this statewide role, I advocate for best practices and strong, standards-based instruction in social studies classrooms across Ohio.

Community Involvement

I believe that community involvement is the foundation of a strong and connected community. In January 2025, I was appointed to the Westerville Planning Commission, where I help ensure that new development aligns with city codes and supports Westerville’s long-term vision. Each winter, I participate in Westerville’s Snow Patrol program, which connects residents in need of snow removal with neighbors who are able to assist. I’m also an active member of Sustainable Westerville (SW), a group dedicated to promoting environmentally responsible practices in our city. Seeing an opportunity to engage younger residents in these efforts, I’m working with an SW board member to launch Sustainable Westerville Kids (SWK)—an initiative focused on kid-friendly service projects, environmental education, and nature-based crafts.

I look for every opportunity to participate in local clean-up efforts and community events. One of my son’s favorite activities is grabbing his trash picker and joining in on neighborhood cleanups—it’s a simple but meaningful way for us to give back together. I’ve joined efforts led by several local groups, including the Westerville Queer Collective (WQC) and Friends of Alum Creek Tributary (FACT), both of which have hosted outstanding clean-up events to support our environment. I’m also involved with the Westerville Progressive Alliance (WPA), which has organized rallies to raise awareness about important issues facing our community.

Community Involvement

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