A Whale of a Tale: Writing a Tall Tale

Kelly Almer is a passionate life-long learner and teacher of 33+ years, all in public education. In her teaching career, she taught students in grades K-7, Gifted and Talented, and was an Instructional Coach.
Kelly lives to teach and can say her crowning achievement has been the joy of connecting with over 1,200 students during her career. She still substitute teaches every week in the district she retired from. She loves connecting with and helping students to uncover, discover, and develop their creative abilities to write. It isn’t unusual to find her seated on the floor of any learning space, in a huddle with six or more students, brainstorming and passionately supporting them while they craft their writing. Her experiences in the classroom and her “magic” to connect with every student she has taught, is a gift she treasures.
Kelly is the author of two books written for teachers: FlexEd: The Key To A Thriving Classroom, published in February 2022 and Flex Further: The Field Guide To A Thriving Classroom, published in February 2023. Both are available on Amazon. She is currently working on her third book, also for educators. Her teaching experiences have helped her as she is an educational consultant, supporting teachers thus far in Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, Florida, and California.
Kelly has shared and presented her passion for writing and the writing process to classrooms of students in grades 2-5. Her hands-on presentations capture every student ‘s attention along with her excitement. Students walk away refueled and ready to develop “that writing piece” they suddenly realize they can write. It isn’t unusual for students to email their manuscripts to her after she leaves, asking for further advise and support, which she gladly gives.
When Kelly isn’t teaching or writing, she spends time with her family in the Rocky Mountains, watercolor painting, taking walks, or riding her bike.