Francis Howell R-III educators, parent praise special-education resource teacher Kelly Smallen

Kelly Smallen, a resource teacher in special education at Warren, was praised by colleagues and a parent during a Francis Howell R-III School District meeting as she received a Hall of Fame recognition and was wished well for retirement.

Commenters said Smallen has a long record of helping students and staff. "She gives her whole heart and will do anything for anybody and will help anybody to problem solve even if it's not her student," a colleague identified in the record said. The same commenter described Smallen as "the most selfless person I know," saying she often finishes work after school or on weekends to support students and colleagues.

Janet (last name redacted), who identified herself as a parent of a student Smallen taught at Warren, recounted regular communication and coordinated work with the teacher. "We shared successes. We shared failures. We worked together on trying to come up with strategies to make Jeremy be the best Jeremy that he could be," Janet said. She added that her son Jeremy, now a senior, "still talks about Kelly every single day" and that "he is the young man that he is today because of her."

Speakers described Smallen's classroom practice as using students' interests — such as favored activities or characters — to help them make progress, and noted that staff from other buildings frequently contact her for ideas. The record includes multiple congratulatory remarks; one speaker told Smallen to "enjoy retirement."

No formal actions, votes, or policy decisions were recorded in the meeting excerpt related to this recognition. The remarks captured were statements of appreciation and personal testimony about Smallen's work and its effects on students and families.

Congratulatory comments closed the segment, with attendees urging Smallen to celebrate and thanking her for her service.