WOODBURY – While most people immediately notice her green shoes, nothing makes her stand out more than her vibrant personality.

For NHS paraeducator Teresa Kelly, affectionately known as “Mrs. Green Shoes”, being helpful and kind comes easily. Every classroom is lucky to have Kelly brighten the room with her radiant personality.

“We call her Ms. Green Shoes for obvious reasons, because she has always worn these bright green sneakers,” said junior Joey Bernardi who has worked with Kelly for multiple years. “The name just stuck, and even if she doesn’t have her green shoes on, she will always be “Ms. Green Shoes.”

“Many kids call me ‘Miss Green Shoes’,” said Kelly. “Jakob Reynolds and Nick Mancini (Nonnewaug seniors) started it all when it was my first year here. They didn’t even know my name, but based on my green shoes that I often wore, they gave me the nickname ‘Ms. Green Shoes’- which I am actually quite fond of.”

Kelly fits in exceptionally well at Nonnewaug, thanks to her sense of humor. Students get along well with Kelly because she is fun, but they also recognize the work she puts into helping them.

“Ms. Kelly is always there for you when you need her,” said junior James Gwiazdowski who has three courses where Kelly serves as a paraeducator. “She has always been there for me no matter what I need help with and she helps anyone else in the room who needs help, too.”

Kelly doesn’t have to try ; just by being herself she has developed great relationships with, not only students, but her fellow staff as well.

“Ms. Kelly is very kind, and always ready to help,” said Ms. Munday, a paraeducator at Nonnewaug. “She even gets outside and helps in the landscaping class. Most of all, she was very inclusive and accepting when I got here. She is an overall great person, and also has a great sense of humor.”

Kelly’s assistance is able to take some of the weight off teachers’ backs, making Kelly a huge asset to Nonnewaug.

“Ms. Kelly is a unique asset to our classroom,” said landscaping instructor Jennifer Plasky. “She has worked positions in the horticulture industry which brings us even more help. She is able to direct students in landscape maintenance tasks, as well as ensure students have the proper tools for each task.  She will be joining the class on several upcoming field trips, and will be able to help students with questions and information needed for the projects they are completing.”

While Kelly inspires her students through classroom assignments, she is not afraid to get her hands dirty, and take her knowledge outside of the classroom. 

“I have a degree and background in ornamental horticulture,” said Kelly whose love for agriculture and the environment brought her to Nonnewaug. “One of my favorite things to do with my students is helping in the ag classes. I love seeing the kids’ enthusiasm.”

Enthusiasm is something that Kelly is renowned for, bringing a sense of joy and excitement to  every class she supports. Her wardrobe alone is enough to brighten the room. Her colorful shoes, especially her green shoes, is what makes Kelly so fun and approachable. 

Kelly “loves to dress up.” She finds joy in putting a smile on her students’ faces.

When it comes to theme days, she asks all of her students what she should dress-up as, and she never lets them down. 

“I let my students pick my costume for the last two years,” said Kelly. “One year it was based on the book a monster calls, the next year I was a spider.” 

“She always asks me what she should dress up as,” said Bernardi. “I always give her some fun ideas because she loves to dress up for halloween. It’s so exciting to see how creative she gets with her costumes.”

In Kelly’s three years at Nonnewaug, she has left a memorable impression on any students she has worked with.

“She helps me in all my classes,” said junior William Martino who relishes Kelly’s support in his English course. “She takes her time and helps with everything. It doesn’t matter what class I need help with, from English to ag, she helps me work through it. I give her credit for keeping me on task, and overall she is one of the nicest people I have ever met. Ms. Kelly’s always there for you when you need her. Anytime anyplace if you need help she can do it.”