I am Norma “Ruth” Pierce Kelly and Candlewood Elementary has been my home for 11 of the 26 years I have been an educator. 

With a passion for reading, I  have dedicated my  life to developing students and their early school age experiences around a solid foundation in reading and language arts. This love of reading was ingrained early as a child and I remain a voracious reader.

  I am originally  from Memphis, TN and hold Bachelor and Master’s degrees from the University of Memphis where my concentration of post graduate studies was in Leadership/Administration and Curriculum Development.  I have held positions outside the classroom including curriculum facilitator and Title 1 coordinator.  Thrice published in various publications, I have also taught at the University level while studying for my Doctorate.

  I  am married with 2 children and in my spare time enjoy gardening, crafts, time by the pool, and of course reading.  Classically trained in Ballet for 15 years, I also love dancing, yoga, and exercise.