Patrick Kelly | Teacher

It is the relationship of the relationships that drive KLC Teach Team member Patrick Kelly.

As a career educator, elected official, and facilitator of community leadership programs, Patrick helps others connect to create, whether in a middle school band, a consortium of workforce development providers or a community of 120,000 people.

Patrick is proud to serve the people of Douglas County, elected as County Commissioner for District 1, working to make progress on issues such as criminal justice reform, affordable housing, economic development, and land use.

After an early career as a public school music teacher, Patrick has been an administrator for the Lawrence Public Schools since 2006. His skill in developing meaningful partnerships led to the creation of the College & Career Center and Peaslee Tech. This workforce development collaboration includes the county, city, and school district working with business and industry, post-secondary education and non-profit partners to provide unique educational opportunities for students age 12 through adult.

Patrick earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Kansas and has been a frequent attendee of KLC programs since 2010. He is a certified Immunity to Change Facilitator, teaches in both the Leadership Lawrence and Leadership Douglas County community leadership programs, and serves on multiple non-profit and advisory boards. Keeping deep ties to the arts community, Patrick can be seen on local musical theatre stages performing with his wife, Amy and daughters Brynn and Victoria. For Patrick, it is all about bringing people together to imagine what is possible and create the path forward together.